Apollo 11 merupakan roket pertama dilancarkan oleh US pada tanggal 15 Julai 1969 dalam misi menghantar manusia ke bulan.. Di khabarkan US tergesa-gesa menghantar manusia bagi mencipta rekod dunia kerana tidak mahu kalah dengan Russia yang telah membuat rekod dunia apabila roket Luna 2 berjaya tiba di permukaan bulan pada tahun 1959.. Apollo 11 selamat tiba di bulan 5 hari selepas itu yang menyaksikan Armstrong mencatat rekod sebagai manusia pertama menjejakkan kaki di bulan..
That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind
- Armstrong
Menerusi gambar-gambar yang di keluarkan oleh NASA tentang ekspedisi ke bulan, ramai mula mengeluarkan teori konon nya Apollo tidak pernah menjejakkan kaki ke bulan dan apa yang dipertontonkan kepada dunia merupakan suatu pembohonngan yang nyata.. Hujah tersebut diperkuatkan lagi memandangkan tiada lagi ekspedisi ke bulan yang dijalankan selain US~ Ada pendapat lain mengatakan gambar-gambar tersebut di ambil di dalam studio dan bukannya di permukaan bulan..
Antara teori yang diketengahkan ialah soal bayang-bayang yang tidak selari, kesan tapak kaki di permukaan bulan, postur angkawasan jelas kelihatan sedangkan ia sepatutnya dilindungi oleh bayang-bayang pesawat, bendera US tidak sepatutnya berkibar sebab tiada udara di angkasa.. Menariknya ialah NASA dituduh melakukan "slow-motion" bagi menipu orang ramai apabila melihat angkasawan tu benar-benar sedang melompat-lompat di bulan..
Ak pernah menonton 2 buah dokumentari berjudul "Astronauts gone wild" dan "A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Moon".. Setiap dokumentari mempunyai teori yang tersendiri dalam menguatkan hujah mereka bahawa pendaratan ke bulan itu hoax.. Dalam dokumentari pertama, penerbit itu menemu-ramah beberapa angkasawan yang telah mendarat ke bulan dan di akhir temu-ramah tersebut, dia minta angkasawan itu bersumpah di atas kitab Bible namun tiada seorang pun yang berani bersumpah mereka telah mendarat ke bulan!
US memang penipu besar dalam macam-macam hal jadi tidak mustahil isu ini juga merupakan salah satu daripada agenda US.. Namun, pandangan ak berubah setelah melihat Episod 10 musim 6 rancangan Mythbusters yang memberikan jawapan kepada segala teori konspirasi yang disebarkan di internet.. Video-video dibawah menceritakan tentang kajian mereka bagi membuktikan bahawa Armstrong dan kuncu-kuncunya memang benar berjaya menjejakkan kaki di bulan.. BUSTED!
p/s Elok jika pembaca sendiri lihat secara penuh episod ini bagi memudahkan pemahaman anda~
Sejak menyambung pengajian ke peringkat Masters, penggunaan 英語 (English) dalam kehidupan seharian meningkat secara mendadak.. Antara sebabnya ialah ak memilih untuk menulis thesis dalam 英語 termasuk memberikan 発表 (Presentation) dalam ゼミ (Seminar) juga didalam 英語.. Entah kenapa ak mula merasakan 日本語力 (Japanese proficiency) ak semakin menurun sebab kali terakhir masuk kelas 日本語 ialah pada awal tahun 2008.. Ada disediakan kelas 日本語 bagi pelajar asing secara percuma tapi ak lebih berminat untuk menjadi TA dalam kelas sebegitu; 一石二鳥 (Killing two birds with one stone) sebab dapat ilmu, dalam masa yang sama dapat duit gaji ;)
Kebetulan ternampak buletin yang mencari pelajar yang ingin menjadi TA untuk subjek 日本語 di kampus jadi dengan cepat ak memohon.. Alhamdulillah, daripada 5 kelas yang ak pohon, hanya 2 yang diterima dan kedua-dua kelas tersebut jatuh pada hari jumaat dan guru yang sama.. Untuk hari pertama, ak dikehendaki memberikan 発表 tentang 研究 (Research) terkini sebagai model untuk menerangkan kepada pelajar tahun pertama degree di kelas tersebut bagaimana 発表 dijalankan.. Rasa agak kekok untuk memberikan 発表 dalam 日本語 memandangkan selama ini segala-galanya dalam 英語.. Payah sungguh untuk memudahkan orang lain memahami 研究 ak buat lebih-lebih lagi bila disuruh terangkan dalam 日本語..
Kekerapan menghantar email kepada 先生 (Lecturer) tentang text 発表 tersebut, 先生 meminta ak berjumpa terus dengan dia sehari sebelum kelas.. Kebetulan 先生 tersebut merupakan bekas pengajar program JAD HELP2 jadi banyak perkara yang kami bualkan setelah selesai isu 発表.. Majoriti pelajar tahun 1 pada kelas pada belah pagi merupakan pelajar 経営 (Business) manakala kesemua pelajar pada belah petang ialah 理工 (Engineering) tapi langsung tiada pelajar 電気 (Electric) menyebabkan 発表 ak begitu sukar untuk difahami -_-" Walaupun mereka pelajar tahun 1, rata-rata daripada mereka sudah belajar 日本語 beberapa tahun sebelum tiba di Jpon lagi! Konon nya 留学生 wajib memasuki 日本語学校 (Japanese school) sebagai syarat untuk memasuki universiti di Jpon~
p/s Teringat suasana di JAD sewaktu mempelajari 日本語 sepanjang berada di dalam kelas nih..
Arsenal menutup tirai musim kali nih dengan keputusan seri 2-2 menentang Fulham ketika beraksi di tempat lawan.. Keputusan tersebut meletakkan Arsenal di tangga ke-4; ini bermakna Arsenal terlepas pas automatik ke saingan Champions League jadi perlu menghadapi pusingan kelayakan yang bakal bermula pada pertengahan Ogos.. Tahniah buat pasukan Man United yang berjaya memenangi piala liga Inggeris buat kali ke-19 sekaligus memecahkan rekod Liverpool sebagai pasukan paling berjaya di dalam EPL.. Arsenal sekali lagi menutup tirai dengan 0 piala berprestij meskipun memenangi Emirates Cup sebelum musim bermula tahun lepas..
アーセナルのシーズンの流れ (Arsenal's Season)
Arsenal memulakan musim 2010/2011 dengan mencatat keputusan seri menentang Liverpool hasil jaringan lewat Chamakh, pemain baru musim ini.. Arsenal beraksi cemerlang setelah itu dengan mencatat kemenangan dalam hampir semua perlawanan namun tewas buat pertama kali di gelanggang sendiri ketika menentang W.B.A dengan keputusan 2-3.. Kekalahan kedua Arsenal ketika menentang Chelsea di tempat lawan yang menyaksikan Drogba melebarkan rekod jaringan menentang Arsenal apabila menjaringkan gol pada separuh masa pertama.. Arsenal cuba bangkit namun gol pada babak kedua oleh Alex benar-benar meranapkan harapan~ Arsenal jatuh pada tangga ke-4 ketika ini namun prestasi cemerlang ketika beraksi di saingan UCL dan Carling Cup sedikit sebanyak menggembirakan penyokong..
Kekalahan ke-3 Arsenal di tempat sendiri ketika menentang Newcastle menerusi jaringan Andy Carroll memang dapat diduga kerana permainan yang agak teruk.. Meskipun mencatatkan kemenangan pada 2 perlawanan seterusnya, Arsenal sekali lagi tewas buat kali ke-4 di tempat sendiri ketika menentang Tottenham Hotspur.. Perlawanan yang penuh kontroversi ini menyaksikan Tottenham berjaya memperoleh kemenangan pertama di kawasan Arsenal dalam tempoh 17 tahun! Kekalahan sengal 0-2 menentang Braga di tempat lawan meletakkan Arsenal di dalam situasi bahaya dalam saingan UCL; mujur menang menentang Partizan 3-1 di tempat sendiri sekaligus menyaksikan Arsenal layak ke pusingan seterusnya meskipun berada di tangga ke-2 dalam kumpulan H.. Kekalahan ke-5 dalam saingan EPL pula ketika menentang Man United di tempat lawan..
Rezeki Arsenal mencurah-curah ketika penghujung tahun 2010 bermula dengan kemenangan menentang Chelsea buat sekian lama dengan keputusan 3-1 di tempat sendiri.. Bulan Januari merupakan bulan yang paling sibuk dalam kalendar Arsenal dengan 9 perlawanan telah dijalankan bagi merebut 3 piala yang dipertandingkan ketika itu yakni piala liga, piala FA, dan Carling Cup.. Dinobatkan perlawanan paling menarik sepanjang musim 2010/2011 ialah perlawanan menentang Newcastle di tempat lawan.. Arsenal menjaringkan 4 gol pada babak pertama namun kad merah Abou Diaby sekaligus membuatkan Arsenal terpaksa bersyukur membawa pulang satu mata setelah Newcastle berjaya mengejar 4 gol pada babak kedua.. Kemenangan mengejut 2-1 ketika menentang Barcelona di padang sendiri semestinya perlawanan yang tidak dapat dilupakan oleh semua penyokong Arsenal!
Nasib malang Arsenal bermula apabila tewas mengejut menentang Birmingham City yang menyaksikan Arsenal terlepas peluang merebut piala pertama, Carling Cup pada musim ini.. Perlawanan seterusnya semakin hambar dengan kekalahan menentang Barcelona pada 2nd leg dan juga terlepas saingan piala FA setelah tewas dengan Man United.. Kemenangan pertama pada bulan April ialah ketika menentang Blackpool dengan berkesudahan 3-1.. Perlawanan ini juga menyaksikan Jens Lehmann, pemain yang dibawa masuk ketika stok keeper Arsenal sedang nazak beraksi pada kesebelasan utama.. Arsenal mencatat keputusan seri bagi 2 perlawanan seterusnya namun tewas buat kali ke-6 menentang Bolton di tempat lawan.. Bulan Mei membuka tirai dengan kemenangan menentang Man United buat sekian lama di tempat sendiri..
Kemenangan tersebut sedikit sebanyak memberikan harapan buat pengurus serta para penyokong dalam mengejar piala pertama dalam masa 6 tahun.. Namun harapan terkubur apabila tewas menentang Stoke City di tempat lawan dengan keputusan 3-1.. Perlawanan menentang Aston Villa di tempat sendiri dan juga perlawanan terakhir di stadium Emirates bagi musim ini juga berakhir dengan kekalahan 1-2.. 2 gol dijaringkan oleh Darren Bent pada minit ke 12 dan 15 benar-benar membingungkan para penyokong kerana pemain pertahanan yang diharapkan, Thomas Vermaelen telah beraksi buat pertama kali dalam kesebelasan utama.. Perlawanan terakhir juga agak mengecewakan apabila Arsenal gagal merebut tangga ke-3 liga setelah mencatat keputusan seri menentang Fulham..
我が感想 (My View)
6 tahun tanpa piala memang suatu yang sukar hendak diterima oleh semua penyokong Arsenal.. Kemasukan defender berpengalaman, Sebastien Squillaci ternyata mengecewakan meskipun Koscielny juga banyak melakukan kesilapan sengal.. Wenger gagal membawa masuk sebarang pemain baru ketika pintu perpindahan terbuka bulan Januari benar-benar memasang api dalam hati peminat gara-gara berfikir Vermaelen akan pulih.. Musim ini juga membuktikan Arsenal boleh hidup tanpa kapten, Fabregas namun ada masa kreativiti Fabregas begitu diharapkan setelah keputusan seri dalam 11 perlawanan sepanjang musim.. Kemerosotan prestasi beberapa permain termasuk Arshavin benar-benar mengundang padah pada saingan musim ini.. Penulis begitu mengharapkan musim perpindahan kali ini sibuk dengan pemain keluar masuk dalam skuad Arsenal ;)
お知らせ (Notification)
Arsenal telah menetapkan Malaysia dan China dalam rangka lawatan ke Asia pada bulan Julai tahun ini.. Sebagai penyokong Arsenal warganegara Malaysia, kedatangan Arsenal sememangnya sesuatu yang dialukan sejak lama namun kesal sungguh kerana tidak dapat turut sama bersorak di Stadium Bukit Jalil 13 Julai nanti.. Awalnya dah happy sungguh bila dengar Arsenal akan melawat Jpon namun bencana tsunami yang menimpa Fukushima dan isu radioaktif menyebabkan Arsenal beralih arah ke Malaysia (泣) Sebagai rakyat Malaysia, penulis mengharapkan skuad Malaysia dapat memberikan saingan positif ketika menentang Arsenal; semestinya negara didahulukan meskipun Arsenal di hati (笑)
Filem Takva: A Man's Fear of God merupakan filem Turki yang mula mendapat perhatian dunia ketika bertanding bagi merebut anugerah filem asing terbaik pada 80th Academy Awards.. Jalan cerita filem ini berkisar tentang Muharrem; seorang pakcik dalam usia 40~50-an yang digambarkan begitu warak sehingga mendapat perhatian seorang Syeikh di kawasan dia.. Syeikh tersebut menawarkan Muharrem tugas sebagai pengutip duit sewa kerana yakin dengan kewarakannya..
Menariknya apabila penonton boleh lihat bagaimana orang sealim Muharrem berubah setelah menerima pekerjaan tersebut~ Melalui filem ini juga para penonton akan didedahkan dengan gaya hidup masyarakat kampung Turki dan ajaran Sufi.. Video dibawah menunjukkan amalan zikir ajaran Sufi yang benar-benar mengundang kontroversi.. Meskipun ada babak-babak yang kurang sesuai untuk tontonan umum, mesej yang ingin disampaikan mungkin jelas melalui kata-kata di bahagian penutup yang berbunyi seperti di bawah..
Ben Gulak mungkin boleh dianggap antara belia yang berjaya dalam bidang reka-cipta.. Hasil ciptaan beliau yang terkenal buat masa ini ialah "Uno" iaitu sejenis motosikal yang mesra alam kerana 100% bergantung kepada tenaga elektrik.. Dilahirkan di Canada, Ben dibesarkan dalam suasana di mana keluarganya memberikan dorongan untuk berfikir secara kreatif; ketika kecil, ayah Ben mencabar Ben untuk membina sesuatu dengan menggunakan permainan Lego.. Minat Ben terhadap kenderaan mula menyerlah apabila melihat masalah lalu lintas yang teruk ketika lawatan ke China bersama keluarga..
Isu berkaitan pencemaran membuatkan minat Ben menjurus kepada teknologi hijau~ Selain menghasilkan kenderaan yang berbentuk menarik, Ben juga sedang membuat kajian dengan pihak tentera dalam mengaplikasikan kenderaan yang beliau hasilkan untuk kegunaan di medan perang.. Video dibawah menceritakan serba sedikit tentang pandangan Ben terhadap sistem pembelajaran semasa yang agak mengongkong pelajar daripada berfikir secara kreatif; lebih kepada pak turut~ Betulkah begitu?
Sebuah kelas tentang drum tradisional Jpon telah dijalankan bertempat di Pusat Komuniti Yasu bermula jam 1330.. Perlu jalan kaki selama 10 minit daripada 野洲駅 (Yasu station) untuk tiba di destinasi.. Ramai juga orang asing yang hadir dalam aktiviti kali ini, semestinya paling ramai peserta daripada Malaysia~ Kelas belajar drum ini dikendalikan oleh 近江「むかで太鼓」保存会メンバー (Oumi Mukade Daiko Preservation Association) dan setiap seorang dikenakan caj sebanyak 500円..
Pada awalnya kami dipersembahkan dengan upacara pembukaan ketukan drum selama hampir 10 minit (boleh dilihat menerusi video di atas).. Uniknya apabila diperkenalkan dengan 内輪太鼓 (Fan Drum), suatu alat muzik tradisional yang dikaitkan dengan agama Buddha.. Mengikut sejarah, muzik drum ini tiada 楽譜 (Sheet music); ia diajar secara turun-temurun menerusi mulut.. Mereka akan cuba memahami rentak secara sendiri dan ikut menggunakan hati..
Pada awalnya kami diberikan masa untuk membiasakan diri mengetuk drum yang ada.. Memandangkan bilangan pengunjung yang ramai, kami dibahagikan kepada 2 kumpulan kecil terlebih dahulu.. Oleh kerana masa yang diperuntukkan hanya sehingga jam 1530, kami hanya diajar beberapa rentak untuk bermain 内輪太鼓 yang mana memiliki 2 rentak.. Rentak tidak terlalu sukar, jadi berjaya menghasilkan gabungan 2 rentak dengan jayanya.. Upacara penutup ketukan drum turut dipersembahkan sekitar jam 1530~
p/s Gambar-gambar lain boleh dilihat melalui sini~
Bagi penggemar filem barat, pasti filem A Beautiful Mind merupakan filem yang sudah ditonton berulang kali dek kehebatan jalan cerita dan keberkesanan lakonan Russell Crow membawa watak lelaki bernama John Nash dalam filem ini.. Penulis begitu terkejut apabila mendapat tahu watak John Nash sebenarnya wujud dan filem ini juga boleh dikatakan autobiografi tentang kisah hidup beliau yang juga penerima anugerah Nobel pada tahun 1994 atas sumbangannya dalam bidang sains ekonomi.. John Nash merupakan seorang yang begitu arif dalam bidang matematik dan menuntut di Princeton Universitiy..
Schizophrenia
Ketika dilanda stress apabila melihat rakan-rakannya sudah banyak menghantar journal, John begitu tertekan sehingga menghadapi masalah Schizophrenia.. Masalah ini membuatkan John mempunyai seorang kawan imaginasi yang beliau fikirkan wujud secara realiti.. Imaginasi itu menjadi semakin kritikal apabila John mula membuat kerja secara sembunyi konon nya untuk tentera tetapi segala-galanya hanyalah di dalam minda John.. Pengorbanan isteri John yang sanggup menemani beliau sehingga ke hari tua benar-benar menyentuh perasaan~ Video dibawah menunjukkan kata-kata John sewaktu menerima anugerah Nobel.. Bagi penulis, kata-kata tersebut begitu bermakna buat setiap pasangan~
p/s Seronok bila layan semula filem ini dalam resolusi 720p~
眼鏡市場 merupakan sebuah kedai cermin mata paling terkenal di Jpon kerana CM (TV Commercial) paling kerap disiarkan di kaca TV.. Cermin mata yang ak gunakan sebelum ni sudah berusia 2 tahun dan malangnya bingkai jenama Reebok itu gagal menahan lengkungan lensa membuatkan ia senang tertanggal.. Rancangan untuk menukar baru ketika pulang ke Malaysia gagal kerana cermin mata lama sudah nyawa-nyawa ikan.. Setelah survey ke merata tempat kedai cermin mata di Jpon, ak membuat keputusan untuk membuat cermin mata baru di 眼鏡市場 kerana harga promosi serta bingkai berjenama =)
Mujur kedudukan kedai dari tempat tinggal ak tidak jauh, jadi tak perlu bersusah-payah untuk pergi menggunakan 電車.. Bezanya kedai cermin mata di Jpon ialah staff yang bertugas akan menerangkan sedalam yang mungkin tentang cermin mata daripada jenis lensa dan sebagainya sebelum maju ke 視力検査 (Eye sight check).. Jika di Malaysia, staff akan memakaikan cermin mata ujian sambil menukar lensa satu demi satu di dalam bilik gelap; tapi di Jpon, ada mesin yang menukarkan kanta dan keadaan bilik pula seperti biasa tidak berubah.. Bersyukur apabila kekuatan mata ak tidak berubah seperti yang dahulu malah dikurangkan sedikit konon nya kerana tidak perlu~
Siap ada warranty card selama setahun!
Selepas selesai 視力検査, maju pula ke peringkat memilih bingkai.. Oleh kerana ak tidak suka contact lens, jadi cermin mata yang ak gunakan mestilah sesuai ketika bermain sukan.. Harga pakej (bingkai + lensa) yang disediakan paling rendah ialah 1.5万円~ tapi bingkai tidak berapa menarik.. Bingkai Nike sekitar 1.8万円 tapi entah mengapa lebih tertarik dengan jenama Plusmix walaupun harga agak mahal~ Sanggup tambah 2.1千円 semata-mata nak kasi lensa bertukar warna ketika terkena sinar UV.. Terpaksa tunggu 1 minggu sebab lensa istimewa, jika tidak dah boleh pakai on the spot! Hmm, sebelum ini guna kanta yang berubah warna hitam, tapi kali ini minta kanta yang berubah kepada warna coklat bagi memadankan dengan warna bingkai..
p/s Cermin mata paling mahal pernah ak beli -_-" Semoga pelaburan ak berbaloi..
Cerita yang mendapat kritikan hebat, Perempuan Berkalung Sorban ini dilancarkan pada tahun 2008 dan merupakan cerita yang diolah daripada novel.. Berlatar-belakang tentang gaya hidup masyarakat Jawa timur di pesantren, seorang anak gadis kepada kiyai berasa tidak puas hati apabila isu perempuan kian diperlekehkan oleh kaum lelaki di situ.. Nasib gadis tersebut kian teruji apabila dia dikahwinkan secara paksa dengan seorang lelaki anak kepada kiyai kampung lain bagi menyatukan dua pesantren.. Malang tidak berbau, apabila lelaki tersebut melayan dia dengan teruk malah sanggup memadukan dia tanpa kerelaan.. Gadis tersebut meminta cerai tetapi dihalang oleh keluarga sendiri..
Stress dengan apa yang berlaku pada diri membuatkan si gadis mula bertindak di luar jangkaan; menyalahkan Tuhan kerana tidak berlaku adil terhadapnya.. Sekali lagi cabaran menimpa dia apabila di tuduh berzina oleh suami sendiri dan pada masa yang sama, ayah dia pula meninggal dunia.. Ironinya mereka dididik dari kecil supaya menjauhi hiburan; bayangkan apabila sudah dewasa, rakan karibnya tiba-tiba boleh seronok bergelumang dalam lembah pelacuran? Kaum wanita digambarkan seolah-olah mereka hanya perlu berada dibelakang lelaki dalam segala hal dan para "ustaz" di situ menggunakan ayat Al-Quran dalam menegakkan segala hal.. Anda boleh download movie nih menerusi link ataupun terus layan melalui youtube~ ENJOY!
Penulis begitu tertarik dengan ucapan Steve Jobs ketika upacara hari penyampaian ijazah kepada pelajar Stanford University, antara universiti terbaik di dunia pada tahun 2005.. Jobs berkongsi 3 cerita tentang hidup beliau dan mengakhirinya dengan ucapan, "Stay hungry, stay foolish" yang mempunyai maksud yang begitu mendalam.. Semoga para pembaca dapat mempelajari sesuatu tentang HIDUP melalui cerita di bawah:
I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.
The first story is about connecting the dots.
I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?
It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.
And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.
It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:
Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.
None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.
Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
My second story is about love and loss.
I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.
I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down - that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.
I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.
During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.
I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.
My third story is about death.
When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.
I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.
This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope it's the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.
Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.
Ketika dunia sedang kecoh dengan pelbagai bencana semulajadi termasuk tsunami yang melanda Jpon 2 bulan yang lepas, ada beberapa suara yang mengaitkan itu semua dengan HAARP.. Berbekalkan 好奇心 (Curiosity) yang tinggi terhadap HAARP, penulis telah menonton sebuah dokumentari berjudul "Holes in Heaven: HAARP and Advances in Tesla Technology" yang dikeluarkan pada tahun 2005.. Dokumentari ini mengetengahkan tentang bahayanya teknologi HAARP sambil dikupas beberapa orang pakar.. Menariknya, dokumentari ini juga menemuramah beberapa orang yang terlibat dalam projek HAARP dan penjelasan mereka benar-benar menimbulkan tanda tanya buat para penonton~
Kedudukan antenna HAARP di Jpon benar-benar mengundang kontroversi mengenai kaitan HAARP dengan gempa bumi besar baru-baru ini
HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) merupakan sebuah kajian berkaitan lapisan ionosfera bumi dan dikendalikan oleh tentera US.. Tujuan utama kajian tersebut adalah menganalisis dan mengkaji lapisan ionosfera yang mampu membangunkan teknologi komunikasi radio dan juga pengawasan.. Menerusi projek HAARP, 3.6MW signal yang berfrekuensi tinggi akan dipancarkan ke lapisan ionosfera secara berterusan, dan sinaran tersebut akan dipantulkan semula ke bumi.. Teknologi HAARP membolehkan para saintis mencari sumber mineral di lapisan kerak bumi kerana kononnya setiap bahan mineral mempunyai bacaan frekuensi yang tersendiri.. Selain emas, sumber yang begitu penting ialah bahan api fosil..
Namun, saintis bimbang kerana setiap kali pancaran berfrekuensi tinggi dipantulkan ke lapisan ionosfera, ia akan meninggalkan bekas yang sedikit sebanyak boleh mengganggu alam semulajadi.. Akibatnya, HAARP dipersalahkan apabila berlakunya bencana alam yang begitu kerap di dunia seperti banjir, puting beliung, gempa bumi dsb.. Saintis turut bimbang kesan HAARP terhadap manusia kerana teknologi HAARP menggunakan magnet yang tinggi, dan dalam badan manusia juga mempunyai cas magnetik.. Nikola Tesla, bapa kepada elektromagnet pernah memberitahu bahawa beliau tahu cara untuk membelah bumi ini! Penonton boleh memahami dengan jelas sebab penyataan tersebut menerusi video dibawah~
Sejak Jpon dilanda musibah bencana tsunami dan bahaya radiasi, telefon bimbit ak sering menerima panggilan daripada Malaysia; pelbagai orang yang perlu ak telefon juga untuk menerangkan situasi sebenar dan keadaan semasa.. Perkara paling sukar apabila di suruh pulang ke Malaysia pada waktu itu oleh ahli keluarga terutamanya daripada nenek.. Hampir setiap hari ak menanti jawapan daripada kedutaan samada tiket balik akan ditanggung oleh kerajaan atau tidak, namun jika member di 東京 (Tokyo) pun kena gelak bila bertanyakan soalan yang sama, lagikan ak yang tinggal di 滋賀 (Shiga), yang jaraknya 500km jauhnya daripada 福島 (Fukushima) (笑)
Jauh sungguh kedudukan Shiga dengan Fukushima yang diukur menggunakan link
Pertengahan bulan 3 memang tiada kelas, kerana pelajar sedang menikmati cuti musim bunga pada ketika itu dan semester baru bermula pada awal April.. Jika diikutkan hati, mahu sahaja ak beli tiket pulang ke Malaysia bagi meredakan perasaan keluarga yang begitu bimbang setelah melihat bagaimana stesen tempatan memaparkan seolah-olah Jpon bakal hilang di peta bumi -_-" Namun pada waktu yang sama juga ak sedang sibuk dengan 就職活動 (Job hunting); banyak syarikat terutamanya di kawasan 関西 (Kansai) yang meneruskan aktiviti 説明会 (Expo) mengikut jadual tanpa tangguhan.. Jika tidak menghadiri 説明会 tersebut, kebarangkalian untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan adalah sukar membuatkan ak menebalkan hati untuk terus menetap di Jpon..
Memula ingatkan pakej MAS sekitar 4万円 jer, tak perasan plak ada kurungan kat bawah tuh -_-"
Ak memang sudah nekad untuk pulang ke Malaysia untuk menyambut Hari Raya bersama keluarga pada tahun ini.. Tahun lepas pergi beraya dengan member di kedutaan dan Korea, raya tahun ini memang kena balik meskipun tidak lama sebab ada 学会 (Conference) pada hujung bulan Ogos.. Seperti biasa MAS menyediakan pakej istimewa untuk pulang ke Malaysia; namun harga yang dikenakan pada tahun ini agak tinggi berbanding tahun sebelumnya iaitu sekitar 6万円 (RM 2250) untuk pergi dan balik.. Teringin hendak mencuba penerbangan AirAsia yang kebetulan mengadakan promosi separuh harga daripada MAS, tapi rasa leceh pula hendak naik dari 羽田空港 (Haneda Airport) yang agak jauh daripada tempat penginapan ;p
Alhamdulillah, ak sudah mendapat pekerjaan dan insyaAllah bakal memulakan hidup baru di 関東 (Kanto) bermula April tahun hadapan.. Jadi pelbagai perkara yang perlu ak uruskan sebelum pulang ke Malaysia Ogos ini antaranya menukar lesen memandu Jpon dan membawa pulang buku-buku yang tidak digunakan.. Banyak barang yang perlu di bawa pulang jadi minta maaf siap-siap kat orang yang ingin memesan barang sebab ak yakin beg akan penuh dengan buku kali ini ;p Berharap dapat bertemu dengan rakan-rakan sekolah sempena kepulangan ak kali ini memandangkan selepas ini mungkin peluang untuk pulang ke negara asal menjadi sukar selepas menjadi 社会人 (Working adult)~
In the U.S., about 50,000 people die each year from secondhand smoke-related diseases.
In the U.S., 30,000 to 60,000 people die each year from secondhand smoke-related heart disease.
Of current smokers in the U.S., 2,633,000 have chronic bronchitis from smoking.
In the U.S., 1200 people die every day from tobacco related disease.
Of current smokers in the U.S., 358,000 have a cancer other than lung cancer from smoking.
Of current smokers in the U.S., 46,000 have lung cancer from smoking.
Of current smokers in the U.S., 384,000 have had a stroke from smoking.
Of former smokers in the U.S., 1,872,000 have chronic bronchitis from smoking.
Of former smokers in the U.S., 1,743,000 have emphysema from smoking.
Of former smokers in the U.S., 1,755,000 have had a heart attack from smoking.
Of former smokers in the U.S., 1,154,000 have a cancer other than lung cancer from smoking.
Of former smokers in the U.S., 138,000 have lung cancer from smoking.
Of former smokers in the U.S., 637,000 have had a stroke from smoking.
In the U.S., smoking results in 5.1 million years of potential life lost each year.
Smoking causes impaired lung growth during childhood and adolescence.
Since 1964, there have been 94,000 tobacco-related fetal and infant deaths in the U.S.
Cigarette smokers are 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers.
In 2000, 49% of middle school students who were regular smokers said they wanted to quit.
One cigarette company biologically engineered tobacco plants to have twice the normal level of nicotine.
Nicotine reaches the brain within 10 seconds after smoke is inhaled.
Cigarette smoke contains about 4800 chemicals.
599 additives are on the composite list released to the government in 1994 by tobacco companies of what may be added to cigarettes. This list includes all ingredients that are used although it does not tell which companies they are used by or which brands they are used in.
2-Naphthylamine, 4-Aminobiphenyl, Benzene, Vinyl Chloride, Ethylene Oxide, Arsenic, Beryllium, Nickel, Chromium (only hexavalent), Cadmium, and Polonium-210 are human carcinogens found in tobacco smoke.
Nicotine is in tobacco smoke.
Nicotine is addictive.
Ammonia is in tobacco smoke.
Ammonia boosts the impact of nicotine.
Benzene is in tobacco smoke. Benzene causes cancer.
Arsenic is in tobacco smoke.
Acetaldehyde is in tobacco smoke. Acetaldehyde is a hazardous air pollutant.
Carbon monoxide is in tobacco smoke. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas which can cause death.
Chromium is in tobacco smoke. Chromium contributes to cancer.
Nicotine has been found in the breast milk of animals exposed to tobacco.
Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S.
Radioactive Polonium-210 is found in cigarette smoke. Polonium-210 contributes to cancer.
In the U.S., 443,000 people die a tobacco-related death every year.
In the U.S.,128,922 people die each year from lung, trachea, and bronchus cancers caused by smoking. 3,400 of these deaths result from secondhand smoke.
In the U.S., 35,326 people die each year from cancers other than lung, trachea, and bronchus caused by smoking.
174,497 people die from smoking-related and secondhand smoke related cardiovascular diseases each year.
103,338 people die from smoking-related respiratory diseases each year (pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, chronic airways obstruction).
In the U.S., 3,400 people die each year from secondhand smoke-related lung cancer.
In the U.S., tobacco kills more Americans than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, murders, suicides, drugs, and fires combined.
Hydrogen cyanide is in tobacco smoke. Hydrogen cyanide exposure causes cardiovascular and respiratory illness.
The tobacco industry spends about $12.5 billion on advertising and promotions in a year.
Since 1964, there have been more than 12 million tobacco-related deaths in the U.S.
About 90% of lung cancer deaths among women who continue to smoke are tobacco related.
Of current smokers in the U.S., 1,273,000 have emphysema from smoking.
Cigarettes and other smoking materials are the number one cause of fire deaths in the U.S.
If current trends continue, by the year 2020, tobacco is projected to kill about 7 million people a year worldwide.
In 1974, a tobacco company explored targeting customers as young as 14.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and exposure to secondhand smoke in infancy double the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and exposure to secondhand smoke in infancy results in the deaths of 776 infants every year in the U.S.
Over 8.5 million Americans live with tobacco-related illnesses.
1,893 U.S. smokers died in 2008 from smoking-related atherosclerosis.
736 people die each year in the U.S. from smoking-related fires.
7.5% of African American middle school students smoke cigarettes.
9.9% of African American high school students smoke cigarettes.
In the U.S., 9.9% of all adult Asian Americans smoke.
In the U.S., 15.7% of Asian American men smoke compared to 4.7% of Asian American women.
3.4% of white U.S. middle school students smoke cigarettes.
17.5% of white U.S. high school students smoke cigarettes.
In the U.S., 22% of white adults smoke.
In the U.S., 15.8% of all Hispanic adults smoke.
In the U.S., 10.8% of Hispanic high school students smoke cigarettes.
Every year, tobacco-related disease kills about 174,000 women in the US.
In the U.S., 26% of middle school, and 21% of high school students who smoke, smoke Newport.
In the U.S., light cigarette use is significantly higher among high school smokers (41%) than among middle school smokers (28%).
In the U.S., 25% of middle and high school boys and 31% of middle and high school girls smoke light cigarettes.
In 2006, U.S. consumers spent an estimated $90.7 billion on tobacco products.
In 1984, a tobacco company called younger adult smokers “replacement smokers.”
In 1972, a tobacco company considered adding honey to cigarettes because teenagers like sweet products.
The tobacco industry increased its spending on advertisements and promotions by $2.7 billion between 2002 and 2003.
In 1985, one tobacco company brainstormed targeting potential smokers in school bathrooms, playgrounds, YMCAs, and city parks.
Cigarette companies advertised “light” cigarettes as less harmful to the smoker, although they can deliver the same levels of tar and nicotine.
In 1993, one tobacco company executive thought it would be a good idea to have his employees mail “grassroots” complaints to airlines about their smoking bans, pretending to be regular customers.
Tobacco companies actually went to court to fight for the right to keep tobacco advertising near high schools. They won. Congrats, Big Tobacco!
In 1993, the Supreme Court decided that an inmate could sue a prison claiming that exposure to his cellmate’s secondhand smoke could constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
In 1989, one tobacco company’s ideas for reaching minority customers included to “be seen as a friend,” “build on black history”, and “help them find jobs.”
In 1995, a major tobacco company planned to boost cigarette sales by targeting homeless people. They called their plan “Project SCUM: Sub Culture Urban Marketing.”
A tobacco company once gave $125,000 worth of food to a charity, according to an estimate by The Wall Street Journal.
Then, they spent well over $22 million telling people about it. I guess when you sell a deadly, addictive product, you need all the good PR you can get.
In 1997, a Big Tobacco executive once said, under oath, that he believed Gummy Bears were addictive like cigarettes.
In the past, Big Tobacco has compared the addictiveness of cigarettes with M&M’s.
In the past, Big Tobacco has compared the addictiveness of cigarettes with coffee.
In the past, Big Tobacco has compared the addictiveness of cigarettes with that of television.
U.S. adults below the poverty level have an average smoking rate of 31.5% compared to 19.6% for people at or above the poverty level.
Higher smoking rates are associated with lower education levels.
90% of lung cancer is attributable to tobacco products.
In the U.S., 60.9% of students who ever smoked cigarettes daily tried to quit smoking cigarettes
During 2000-2004, annual smoking-attributable medical expenditures were estimated at $96 billion.
During 2000-2004, smoking-attributable productivity losses totaled $96.8 billion per year.
During 2000-2004, smoking-attributable health care costs and productivity losses totaled $193 billion per year.
In 2006, a judge ruled that Big Tobacco had been engaged in a 50-year-long scheme to deceive the public about the dangers of smoking. Lies suck too.
In 2008, 48.8% of people for whom their high school diploma was their highest level of educational attainment who have ever smoked reported that they had successfully quit.
About 20% of African American youth are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home.
In 2000, 68.4% of African Americans reported wanting to quit smoking and 45% reported making a quit attempt.
In the U.S., 0.9% of Asian American middle school students smoke.
28% of U.S. middle school students who smoke use light cigarettes.
41% of U.S. high school students who smoke use light cigarettes.
In the U.S. in 2008, over 80.7% of people with a graduate degree who had ever smoked reported that they had successfully quit.
In the U.S., 6% of Asian American high school students smoke cigarettes.
In the U.S., smoking-attributable productivity losses for men are approximately $64.2 billion per year
In the U.S., smoking-attributable productivity losses for women are approximately $32.6 billion per year.
In the U.S., 20.7% of Hispanic men smoke, compared to 10.7% of Hispanic women.
In the U.S., 50% of Asian Americans who smoke use regular/full flavor cigarettes.
In the U.S., 43% of Hispanics who smoke use regular/full flavor cigarettes.
In 2008, adults whose highest level of academic achievement was below the equivalent of a high school diploma had the lowest rates of successfully quitting smoking in the U.S.
In 2008, more than 48 million Americans had successfully quit smoking.
How do infants avoid secondhand smoke? “At some point they begin to crawl.” Tobacco Executive, 1996.
34.1% of middle school students report seeing advertisements for tobacco products on the Internet.
39.2% of high school students report seeing advertisements for tobacco products on the Internet.
The tobacco industry spends about $34 million a day on advertising and promotions.
According to one tobacco company VP, in 2001, a company name change could focus attention away from tobacco.
In the U.S., 23.5% of white men smoke compared to 20.6% of white women.
In the U.S., 43% of Black middle school students who smoke use regular/full flavor cigarettes.
In the U.S., 66% of Black high school students who smoke use regular/full flavor cigarettes.
It is estimated that as many as 22% of pregnant women and girls smoke.
18.3% of women in the U.S. smoke.
Pregnant women who smoke increase their risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and SIDS.
In the U.S. in 2007, 53.1% of current young adult smokers were able to quit smoking for more than a day.
In the U.S., only 5.7% of people with a graduate degree are current smokers.
The majority of smokers begin before the age of 18 (nearly 80% before age 18, and nearly 90% before age 20).
1 out of 3 smokers begin smoking before the age of 14.
Every day, about 3,900 youth ages 12 to 17 try a cigarette for the first time.
Every day, about 1,500 youth become daily smokers.
About one third of youth smokers will eventually die from a tobacco-related disease.
In just one year, cigarettes leave about 12,000 kids motherless. That’s 33 mothers a day.
In just one year, cigarettes leave about 31,000 kids fatherless.
3.0% of U.S. middle school students smoke.
14.3% of U.S. high school students smoke.
About 70% of smokers say they want to quit.
In 2008, 45% of U.S. smokers quit for at least a day.
Each year only 4.7% of smokers succeed in quitting.
Every 6.5 seconds, someone in the world dies from a smoking-related disease.
In 1985, one tobacco vice president wondered, in reference to smoking-related deaths, if we should ban sleep since according to him the majority of people die in their sleep.
In 1997, one tobacco company CEO said he would probably “instantly” shut his doors “ to get a better hold on things “
if it were proved to his satisfaction that smoking causes cancer. That same company now admits on their website that smoking causes cancer, but they’re still open for business.
Tobacco accounts for one out of every ten deaths worldwide and claimed 5.5 million lives in 2009 alone.
Every year, 394,000 loyal tobacco customers in the U.S. are awarded with premature death.
12 million cigarettes per minute will be smoked around the world every single day in 2010.
The U.S., China, Russian Federation, Japan, and Indonesia were the top five countries that consume more than half of the world’s cigarettes in 2007.
There were 100 million deaths worldwide from tobacco use in the 20th century.
There could be 1 billion tobacco deaths worldwide in the 21st century if current trends continue.
One half of all lifetime smokers will die prematurely as a result of smoking.
Smoking is responsible for the premature deaths of approximately 3 million women since 1980.
9% of college students smoke daily.
18% of U.S. college students smoke.
31% of young adults who are college age, but do not attend college, smoke.
Since 2001, there has been little consistent gender difference in smoking among U.S. college students
69 animal and/or human carcinogens are in tobacco smoke.
Every day, cows release methane gas into the air. From you know where. But methane is also found somewhere else. Yesiree, in cigarette smoke.
As late as 1999, tobacco companies placed in-store advertising signage at a child’s eye level.
Tobacco companies have been targeting women with their advertising for the last 80 years.
Hydrogen cyanide has been used in prison executions. It’s also found in cigarette smoke.
There’s hydrogen cyanide in rat poison. The same stuff is in cigarette smoke.
Because of the tobacco industry’s products, about 353 people in the U.S. die of lung cancer every day.
In 1989, millions of cases of imported fruit were banned after a small amount of cyanide was found in just two grapes.
There’s 33 times more cyanide in a single cigarette than was found in both of those grapes.
Smoking can lead to cataracts, the number one cause of vision loss in the world.
In 1985, a tobacco industry brainstorming session came up with the idea of reaching their “younger adult smokers” in candy stores.
Sunburns can cause wrinkles; so can cigarettes.
In the U.S., smoking is depicted in three-quarters of youth-rated movies, and 90% of R-rated movies.
Problems with self-esteem. Has menial, boring job. Emotionally insecure. Passive-aggressive. Probably leads fairly dull existence. Grooming not a strong priority. Lacks inner resources. Group conformist. Non-thinking. Not into ideas.
Insecure follower. These are all terms taken from Big Tobacco’s files that have been used to describe different groups of potential customers for their deadly, addictive products.
Tobacco kills over 20 times more people than murder.
Sodium hydroxide is a caustic compound found in hair removal products. It was found in cigarettes in 1994.
Tobacco companies’ products kill nearly 37,000 people every month. That’s more lives thrown away than there are public garbage cans in NYC.
Human sweat contains urea and ammonia. Urea is added to cigarettes.
In 1985, one tobacco company brainstormed the idea of reaching younger adult customers in record stores.
In 2006, a former Russian spy was allegedly murdered using Polonium -210. This radioactive chemical is also found in cigarette smoke, a fact at least one tobacco company was aware of in 1964.
On their websites, tobacco companies encourage people to quit smoking. However, in 2006, a court found that tobacco companies manipulate nicotine levels to keep smokers addicted.
Every day, tobacco-related disease kills about 476 women in the US.
As long ago as 1969, a tobacco company executive stated that they had “taken a great many steps to avoid advertising directed to young people.” Yet 10 years later, they supplied their products to be featured in The Muppet Movie.
Around the 1980s, tobacco companies labeled African Americans - less educated, prefer malt liquor, have problems with their own self-esteem.
In 1996, the tobacco industry said that drinking one to two glasses of whole milk a day was riskier than second-hand smoke.
In 1971, when one tobacco executive was reminded that smoking can lead to underweight babies, he said, “Some women would prefer smaller babies.”
According to the New York Times, in 1998, one tobacco executive said, “Nobody knows what you’d turn to if you didn’t smoke. Maybe you’d beat your wife.”
Benzene, arsenic and cyanide are all poisons. They’re all in cigarette smoke too.
In 1978, one tobacco executive said that “unhappiness causes cancer.” So smile!
In 1953, Phillip Morris advertised their cigarettes as “the cigarette that takes the FEAR out of smoking.”
A tobacco executive said that smoking is only as addictive as “sugar and salt and internet access.”
6.3 trillion cigarettes will be produced by tobacco companies in 2010, amounting to more than 900 cigarettes for every man, woman and child in the world.
There are 11 known human carcinogens in cigarette smoke.
An ingredient in mothballs- naphthalene- is also found in cigarette smoke.
In the US, cigarettes kill about 50 people an hour.
Urea is found in cigarettes. Urea is also found in Pee.
Methanol is found in cigarettes. Methanol is also found in antifreeze.
Cinnemaldyhyde is found in cigarettes. Cinnemaldehyde is also found in pet repellant.
Cadmium is found in cigarettes. Cadmium is also found in batteries.
Toluene is found in cigarette smoke. Toluene is also found in gasoline.
Hydrazine is found in cigarettes. Hydrazine is also found in rocket fuel.
Acetone is found in cigarette smoke. Acetone also removes nail polish.
Geraniol is found in cigarettes. Geraniol is also found in pesticides.
Formaldehyde is found in cigarette smoke. Formaldehyde preserves the dead.
Toluene is found in cigarette smoke. Toluene is also found in explosives.
Acetanisole is found in cigarettes. Acetanisole is also an ingredient in some perfumes.
Acetic Acid is found in cigarettes. Acetic Acid is also found in floor wipes.
Each year, about 5 million people around the world die from tobacco products.
In 1988, one tobacco company brainstormed the idea of a colored cigarette to “enhance wardrobe.”
In 2008, 3.5% of 8th graders, 5.0% of 10th graders, and 6.5% of 12th graders were frequent users of smokeless tobacco.
Adolescents who use smokeless tobacco are more likely to become cigarette smokers.
Smokeless tobacco use is higher among males (6.2%) than females (.4%) for people aged 12 or older.
Among males aged 12 to 17, smokeless tobacco use has increased significantly—from 3.4 percent in 2002 to 4.4 percent in 2007.
In 2005, the vast majority of secondary school students who used smokeless tobacco users were male.
2.2% of youths aged 12 to 17 started using smokeless tobacco in the past 12 months. 1.8% of young adults aged 18 to 25 and 0.1% of adults aged 26 or older began using smokeless tobacco during the same timeframe.
In 2007, among adults aged 26 or older, 3% had used smokeless tobacco in the past month. Among youths aged 12 to 17, the rate was 2.2%, and among young adults aged 18 to 25, the rate was 5% percent.
Smokeless tobacco use among men declined between 1987 and 2000. The largest declines were among those aged 18 to 24 years, people 65 years and older, African-Americans, residents of the South, and persons in more rural areas.
Revenues from smokeless tobacco sales totaled $2.59 billion in 2006.
The five major smokeless manufacturers spent a total of $354.1 million on advertising and promotion in 2006, an increase from the $250.8 million spent in 2005.
In 2006, smokeless tobacco companies reported spending $203.7 million on price discounts (payments made to smokeless tobacco retailers or wholesalers in order to reduce the price of smokeless tobacco to consumers).
77.44 million pounds of moist snuff were sold in 2006--more than the combined sales of all of the other types of smokeless tobacco. Moist snuff also continued to receive the most advertising and promotional support from smokeless tobacco companies.
Smokeless tobacco is addictive.
Smokeless tobacco use causes oral cancer, lesions, and gum recession.
Smokeless tobacco increases the risk of oral cancer.
Long-term smokeless tobacco users may be up to fifty times more likely to have cancers of the cheek and gum than non-users.
Using smokeless tobacco is also associated with gum recession, dental caries, and dental staining and abrasion.
Because nicotine from smokeless tobacco is absorbed through the mouth, it takes longer to produce an effect than if it were absorbed through the lungs. But using cigarettes and smokeless tobacco really do result in the same amount of nicotine intake.
An average of 4.5mg of nicotine is absorbed from 7.9g of chewing tobacco and an average of 3.6mg of nicotine is absorbed from 2.5g moist snuff.
One tobacco company brainstormed reaching its target consumer from ice cream trucks.
In 2010, tobacco will kill 6 million people worldwide.
In 2007, Camel sold pink and teal-packaged cigarettes which attracted young girls.
