Here’s something to think about. Be sure you are not taken into this type of activity. If you see it occurring frequently, tell your supervisor or your supervisor’s supervisor.
It has happened that, in some companies, one person or a group of people, decides they don’t like a co-worker. Together, they can reign havoc on their victim, whether it’s a man or a woman,
It’s called mobbing, a situation that has only recently been identified by psychologists and human resources departments. They say that even if it’s being done by just one person, those who see it and do nothing about it play a part. Abusers take their silence as support for their actions.
In their book, Mobbing: Emotional Abuse in the American Workplace, authors Noa Davenport, Ruth Schwartz and Gail Pursell Elliott say mobbing is a “ganging up,” usually by several individuals, to force someone out of the workplace through rumor, innuendo, intimidation, discrediting, and particularly, humiliation.
Effects are devastating to the victim, resulting in loss of productivity, psychological and physical symptoms, depression, accidents, violence or suicide.
The victim is usually in a position of lower status than the adversary. Mobbing is more probable when a person is different, such as a woman in an office full of men or vice versa, a person who is more qualified, younger, more competent, or a new person who is both younger and more qualified.
Mobbing has been identified in Europe for some time. It is aggression against an individual, rather than discrimination based on age, gender, race, creed, nationality, disability or pregnancy. It may include harassing, abusive and terrorizing behaviors.
The aggression can be active or passive. Passive aggressors are a problem. They hide their evil ways in occasional acts of kindness and politeness.
If you say nothing about it, you are actually part of the mob
Lithium could be the next golden mineral
In today’s market, lithium-ion batteries power everything from hybrid autos to laptops, cell phones and digital cameras. But just what is lithium and where does it come from?
Will it replace oil as the next “golden mineral asset”?
Listed as the third element on the periodic table, lithium has had many uses, most notably as a mood-altering drug for the treatment of mental disorders.
In manufacturing, it is used in the production of grease and glass. A crude form of lithium was used in production of the first hydrogen bomb.
Found in variable quantities in many countries, its mining is a growing industry in the South American countries of both Chile and Argentina.
Salar de Atacama, a dry lakebed700 miles north of Chile’s capital, Santiago, is one of the driest locations on earth. It is dry on the surface, but about 130 feet below the lakebed lies a brine-laden aquifer. It produces a greasy yellow substance from which lithium is extracted. This lakebed contains about 27 percent of the earth’s known supply of lithium.
The boom in lithium demand began in 1991 when Sony began producing its lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
Hybrid and all-electric vehicles are now a market for larger versions of these batteries, which were first used to power small electronic devices.
The lithium carbonate salt is refined and used to create either lithium cobalt phosphateorlithiummanganese oxide, which act as an electrolyte in the batteries. Lithium ions travel between the battery’s anode and cathode in the production of electricity.
Carbon monoxide can kill quickly
Every year hundreds of North Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning. It usually happens while they sleep.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas. It binds to the hemoglobin in blood, which carries oxygen throughout the body. If you have a certain amount of it in your system, even if you’re surrounded by oxygen, you will feel as though you are suffocating.
Neurologists at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston say a high level exposure to carbon monoxide can kill almost immediately. Minimal exposure causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, and sleepiness, which appear within days after exposure.
A faulty heating system is usually the source of the carbon monoxide.
The art and manners of taking tea
The art of taking tea brews up 5,000 years of tradition
In 2737 BC Divine Healer and Second Emperor of China Shen Nung discovered tea. More precisely, cha, as it is known throughout the world, was revealed to him by the forces of creation.
Much might be expected from an herb with such divine and ancient origins. Tea, and the taking of it, does not let one down in that regard. Indeed, according to Jason Goodwin, author of A Time For Tea, cha is the subject of immense lore.
As might be expected the Chinese studied, revered and refined tea, distinguishing between preferred mountain or high-grown teas (yen cha) and low grown teas.
Teas have had special purposes throughout history, some used as currency and tribute, others for royal use only. The Chinese have given their teas lovely names: Buddha Hand, Clear Fragrance, Kung-fu tea, Great White, Black Heap, Great Red Robe (a tea so wonderful an emperor was said to have removed his red robe in order to climb higher and pick more.)
Taoist priests used tea, Goodwin writes, as an ingredient in their elixir of immortality. The first Englishman to possess and promote tea, Thomas Garaway wrote in 1658 that tea would cure up to 24 disabilities.
Indeed, during its 5,000 year history, tea has earned a place in the ritual of nearly every culture. According to Margaret Visser, author of The Rituals of Dinner, Arabs express their generosity by pouring tea until it slops over the saucer, while Europeans take any spill as a breach of etiquette.
In China, at dinner, one never pours tea only for one’s self. Every diner must offer to pour tea for the people near him.
In Japan, the ancient tea ceremony defines the sensibilities of the entire culture. The host pays extraordinary attention to the setting for the ceremony, the choice of utensils, his own garment and the flow of solitude and company during the ritual drinking of tea.
Cold weather calls for the essential trench coat.
From James Bond to Junk Bonds, the classic trench coat has made its mark, but if you’ve ever puzzled over all its flaps and buttons, wonder no more. Here is the story of the essential trench.
To begin at the top, the trench coat’s shoulder yoke in back and the storm flaps in front encourage rain run-off. At the collar, a throat latch allows the wearer to snap or button the coat’s flaps tight to seal out wind.
Epaulets usually button over the shoulders to the neck, a hold-over from the days when men wearing the trench carried binoculars.
At the sleeves, the trench should have straps and buckles at the wrist to seal the coat and protect the wearers cuffs from rain and soaking.
Pockets should button to keep rain out and most trench coats have an inside deep lining pocket for papers.
At the hem, a button on one side and a flap on the other can be fastened to prevent the coat from flapping in the rain and wind. If the trench is a classic style, this will not inhibit movement since most classic coats are cut in a liberal A-line.
Finally, the coat is finished off with a belt, that allows maximum closure and suit protection. Though most trench coats have a buckle, it continues to be fashionable to tie the belt.