Human Behavior

Typing into the void: The joy of one-sided conversations with K-pop idols – Digital Trends

I watched yourJejuisland video! It looked like a very relaxing time. Thank you for your vlogs, theyre so much fun!

I recently sent this message to someone who probably wont ever see it, and absolutely will never reply directly to it. Yet it made me smile, it brought me happiness, and I do it most days. Before you ask, no, Im not stalking anyone. Its through an app that offers Direct Message-style conversation with K-pop idols, and its just one example of a growing number of apps that are connecting us to others, many of whom would normally be inaccessible, in very different ways.

Why would anyone invest time and money in a one-sided conversation? Is this illusion of intimacy the ultimate in fandom, or saddening evidence of loneliness only encouraged by addictive online services and the coronavirus pandemic? I think Im close enough to the subject to offer some insight and help you understand, but in order to really dig deep into why apps like these are gaining popularity, I also asked some experts.

If youre not a fan of K-pop or Japanese idols, you probably havent heard of DearUs Bubble with Stars, which is the app I use, or other similar apps like Universe and Weverse. For around $4 per star per month, I receive around a dozen messages a day from former global girl group IZ*ONE members Kang Hyewon and Kim Minju.

Their messages mostly detail the minutiae of life, like what they had for dinner, how work went, and what the weather is like in Seoul, while also revealing more of their personalities through jokes and comments. You could be forgiven for mistaking this feed for Twitter or Instagram, except these apps are not open to the general public. In fact, most of the apps repeatedly warn against sharing the posts made by artists outside of the app on other social networks, under penalty of permanent bans. Thats why we arent showing you actual message examples here.

Instead, its all presented like a messaging app directly connecting you with an idol. You see a scrollable stream of individual messages and images, some of which are even personalized, like Andy, what are you doing today? You can type out replies to messages and add emojis and stickers. Its just like messaging with your friends.

If the artist is engaged with the app and really understands how to use it, the illusion of directly messaging with them is utterly convincing. But it is still an illusion. The artist is not actually messaging you directly and when you reply, they will probably never read that message. And sorry, but on Bubble, you will never get a real, personal reply sent only to you. Although it may look and feel like a personal exchange, its absolutely not.

None of this is a secret to users. According to Bubbles developer, messages are sent by the idol, but they are not notified of any replies and cannot then send messages to one subscriber. However, replies are stored in a global inbox that can be accessed by the idol, giving a glimmer of hope a message may be read at some point. I know all this, but it doesnt bother me. Im also acutely aware that for those who arent fans, it must seem completely ridiculous. But theres more to it than you think.

I expect theres a good chance you are questioning why someone would want to have an entirely one-sided conversation, and actually pay for the privilege. Every time I send a reply through Bubble, the same question enters my mind. What do I get out of it? I talked about how relatively mundane the chat messages are, and this is actually part of the appeal, but its also connected to what it means to be a fan.

For me, I love the way the artists I follow reference things only a fan really understands, let you in on little jokes, and shares surprisingly personal aspects of their lives. She shares the good parts of her day, and I can reply by saying how good she was in her music show, or in her latest video. Its friendly, supportive, and heartwarming. Its common to receive messages of encouragement too, and because they are often personalized it feels surprisingly special. There are even times where you distinctly get the feeling the artist has read at least some of the replies, due to comments about the conversation made by other fans on Twitter.

The closeness that comes from using these apps is a strong aspect of idol fandom, and to get more perspective, I connected with Nathanial Vibar, a 26-year-old nurse and a fan of Japanese idol group Sakurazaka46, over Twitter to better understand why he sends replies through that groups messaging app.

This is our only way of giving back some of the happiness they bring into our lives,he told me. You do it because you want them to know that theres always someone out there supporting them and watching them grow.

Thismutualexchange of supportfor happinessis acommon threadinidol fandom, butalso of fandom generally.Why do we cheer for bands at concerts?Were expressing how happy they make us, even if we never expect them to spot us individually in the crowdand recognize us.Having an app where youexpress support to an artist, regardless of whether they see the note or not,accomplishes the same thingin a digital venue.

Nathanial gave me an example of what this looks like day-to-day for him. A few weeks ago it was an important anniversary for the group, and [a member of the group] asked in the app for replies from fans, Nathanial says. On that day in particular, I was feeling very sentimental, so I ended up sending her a very nicely worded message about how seeing her up on stage makes me happy. Even though I might not ever hear back from her, the chance that she might see the message and it brings a smile to her face gives me a warm feeling.

Reading fun messages and sending supportive repliesexplains the surface-levelappealofthese apps, but could there be a deeper meaning? I put the question of what it means to have one-sided conversations like these toRebecca Lockwood, Positive Psychology and Master Neuro-linguistic Programming Coach, who didnt pull any punches about her opinion on why someone may do this.

The need to feel significant in life can create the desire to connect with idols and people that we look up to, she wroteviaemail. The need for connection and to feel important can drive people to different kinds of behaviors and actions to try to fulfill it. It is an attempt to fill a need that is empty.

Put this way it doesnt sound like much fun, yet in my own experience, it is fun. Insight and Innovation Executive Natasha Kingdon from theLAB Group, a digital agency specializing in human behavior,believes there are benefits to this type of relationship.

Research has found that forming connections with stars, eventhroughone-sided relationships, can help those with low self-esteem find a support network or kinship that theycan notfind elsewhere, she explained via email.This need to fit in can be attributed to social identity theory,where affiliation with a group actually boosts self-esteem. The benefits of being part of a group (in this case a fandom) creates positivity and confidence in who they are, even without proper responses. The messages that are sent to the K-pop idol are almost secondary to the benefits that come out of being part of the group.

In my experience, K-pop fans are always welcoming and friendly. Positivity is almost as much a part of K-pop fandom as the idols themselves. K-pop groups also tend to organize themselves very effectively, and the group will usually give fans acollective name, further emphasizing the tribal aspect. Forexamplefans on IZ*ONE are known as WIZ*ONE, fans of the group Twice are known as Once, and BTS has its Army. However, Kingdon explained how it could also go a lot deeper than simply wanting to bepart of something.

In aCOVIDworld,there is less face-to-face interaction in real life than ever before. This is especially the case with single-bubble households across the world. With workplaces previously being a reliably social aspect of peoples days, new work-from-home policies becoming the norm has meant any form of interaction, virtual or non-human, is still beneficial.

Ive spent an inordinate amount of time on my own the last 18 months, at least compared to 2019 and before, so this does make some sense. However, its definitely not the only reason I send these messages. Being a supportive fan, as Nathanial described, is just as important to me. For fans who do seek a genuine sense of connection, some apps make it possible to go that step further.

While Bubble, Universe, and others like it all digitally connect you to a real person, you dont get any back-and-forth conversation. But you can if you replace the real person with finely tuned Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). Chatbots and other A.I. creations offer a sense of connection for users who cant, or dont want to, connect with real people.

TakeXiaoice, a massively popular A.I.-powered chatbot with an estimated user base of 660 million people. WhenSixth Tone spoke to people who regularly converse with Xiaoice, some described themselves as introverted and with low self-esteem, echoing Kingdons words, but all also talked about how Xiaoice provides comfort and companionship they cannot get from anyone else.

This need to connect, possibly when the ability to do so isnt an option in real life, is also a big draw of Gatebox, a smart home product along the lines of Google Home and Google Nest. Its due to Azuma Hikari, an A.I. character who lives inside the device. In addition to being virtually in your home, she can also communicate with you by message app. Like Xiaoice, the conversation is light and friendly, but with an intimacy people may not find elsewhere. I wanted to create something I could love, Gatebox CEO Minori Takechi said about the character.

To me, sending one-sided messages to an idol and sending messages to a chatbot arent all that different, and they arent if we listen to the psychologists, either. That both apps generate an emotional response, just like social media, does raise concerns over the effect they have on our mental health though. Internal research from Facebook recently revealed how Instagram has harmed body image for teenage girls in particular, and the harmful effects of infinite scrolling and social media are well documented. Unfortunately, Kingdon suggests similar issues may arise from the use of messaging apps like Bubble with Stars and Xiaoice.

Messages that come through could be interpreted as small rewards, which in turn release small amounts of dopamine. This creates an addiction to the phone messages and dopamine, creating a ludic loop. A ludic loop is when you repeat the same activity because your brain knows occasionally it will generate dopamine the reward, Kingdon explains. This can create unhealthy habits of expectancy and phone and app dependency, as well as being used as a substitute for face-to-face interactions which have been shown to have many positive benefits for mental health.

If chatbots and idol apps are fueled by a cocktail of pandemic loneliness, celebrity worship, and the addictive properties of social media, should we be concerned? Well, only if we focus on the negatives. In an essay for ThoughtCo, psychologist Cynthia Vinney wrote that parasocial relationships, the term given to one-sided connections with someone, are normal and psychologically healthy, and can lead to better real-life social interactions. A 2008 University of Buffalo study showed parasocial relationships can actually help improve self-esteem.

The last 18 months have changed our relationship with technology in many ways, whether its upgrading computer systems for home working, getting to grips with Zoom calls, or streaming movies rather than watching them in the theater. I see apps like Bubble with Stars and theparasocialrelationships they propagate as a continuation of this, just one thats little understood.

Yes, they are definitely the ultimate expression of fandom. But they also seem to help people cope with loneliness and low self-esteem. For me, I like getting messages from Minju and Hyewon. They are always fun, positive, and supportive, always make me smile or laugh, and are never confrontational or emotionally upsetting like social media can be. With those benefits, suddenly the time and money involved seem like a wise investment.

And yes, before you ask, I will send a Bubble message to both the idols telling them about writing this article.

Continue reading here:
Typing into the void: The joy of one-sided conversations with K-pop idols - Digital Trends

Human Behavior

Major Push Expected This Weekend in Search for Missing Seattle Firefighter – bigcountrynewsconnection.com

A major push is expected this weekend in the search for a missing Seattle firefighter who has been missing in a remote corner of Kittitas County for 10 days.

Seattle Deputy Fire Chief Jay Schreckengost was reported missing on Nov. 2 while scouting elk hunting locations near Cliffdell. Over the last 10 days, multiple agencies from across the region have mobilized in the search for Schreckengost, with daily searches averaging over 100 volunteers. The search is complicated by the steep terrain in the area, which is accessed by state Route 410, as well as snowy conditions at the altitude the search areas is located within.

Kittitas County Sherriffs Office Inspector Chris Whitsett said Thursdays search began before dawn, with search and rescue teams completing their briefing at Whistlin Jack Lodge prior to making the trek to the search area.

Weve got members of the incident command structure, including experts in operations, logistics, and planning, he said. All these people get together and coordinate all their assignments before deciding how to best distribute the resources on any given day.

As the search stretches into its second week, Whitsett said search and rescue teams have become intimately aware of the nuances within the search area, which is parceled out to effectively cover on foot. A search and rescue vehicle from King County contains a state planning team who work on mapping the search area in the push to allocate resources.

To aid in the effectiveness of search teams, Verizon and T-Mobile donated mobile cellular towers to provide coverage in the area, which would normally have none. Whitsett said a relay has been placed in the search area to extend the coverage for the teams on the ground.

They lent these from their own corporate resources, and were not paying a thing for it, he said. Otherwise, there would be zero cell signal.

CHALLENGING LOGISTICS

At the muster point for the search and rescue teams, Whitsett estimated the altitude to be approximately 2,300 feet. Although the center of the search area is approximately three miles from the muster point as the crow flies, he said teams must drive approximately 10 miles of dirt roads to access the area.

In those 10 miles, you gain almost 3,000 feet, he said. Youve got a significant elevation gain.

Whitsett said approximately 50 volunteers were working the search area on Thursday, a lower number he attributed to some crew members taking a break before what he expects to be a major push over the weekend.

Everybody has to take a down day at some point, he said. Weve had to start cycling our people out and telling them they have to take a day off, because people break if you dont do that. Last weekend on Saturday, we had over 150 people. On the weekend, a lot of search and rescue volunteers are able to come from all over the state.

With the KCSO leading the search, Whitsett said the partnerships forged between various agencies throughout the state for the effort to locate Schreckengost are critical, especially since search and rescue resources arent available at the state level.

The state relies on counties, and sheriffs offices are primarily responsible for search and rescue operations, he said. The state provides a support apparatus for the counties, and as this in our county, the incident command structure falls under our sheriffs office.

TRAINED EXPERTS

Although he said the KCSO has gotten immense feedback from residents wanting to help in the search process, Whitsett stressed that search and rescue crews are highly trained in the skills needed to conduct an operation of this magnitude, especially as it pertains to the challenging terrain and weather conditions in the search area.

The 153 people that came on last Saturday, every one of them has worked with, has trained with, and is certified under a formal search and rescue organization, he said. There are several benefits to that. There are liability and safety issues, and they know how to work a search.

Whitsett said team incident and operations commanders are also rotated out throughout the search to give team members a break during the grueling search effort.

There is a benefit to having continuity and having the same person the whole time, but its just not sustainable for anyone, he said.

Over the past 10 days, Whitsett said the incident command team has shifted between distinct phases in the search for Schreckengost. In the first days of the search, he said a team goal was to cover as much ground as possible. In recent days, he said that goal has shifted towards a more meticulous search with the understanding that Schreckengost has most likely taken shelter, making his location potentially more difficult to locate, especially when fresh snow falls in the search area.

He could be very well hidden, Whitsett said. Were going slower and using continual intelligence analysis from the planning folks that have expertise in human behavior in crises, who have studied what people do in survival situations like this. In cooperation with people who know this area, they help us to target where we focus, and then we go over those areas with a fine-toothed comb.

With Schreckengosts family on the ground participating in the search process, Whitsett said the search and rescue efforts will continue indefinitely.

Everybody who knows Chief Schreckengost has told us he has the personal resources and the training to know how to take care of himself in a crisis, he said. We have as much hope as we possibly can that hes been able to do that in this situation.

Read the original:
Major Push Expected This Weekend in Search for Missing Seattle Firefighter - bigcountrynewsconnection.com

Anatomy

The Anatomy of a Disaster Response – Direct Relief

It was early on a Saturday morning in August, but a Direct Relief WhatsApp chat thread was lighting up.

A staffer had seen emerging reports of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake striking in the south of Haiti, and raised the alarm. Emergency Response Director Dan Hovey, still drinking his morning coffee, began thinking quickly.

First and foremost, he feared an event as catastrophic as the 2010 earthquake that struck near Port-au-Prince, killing more than 220,000 people and triggering a series of secondary catastrophes that continue to affect Haiti to this day. That was the first thought, he said.

Direct Relief swung into action, reaching out to existing partners to see who was affected by the early morning earthquake, and what support they needed.

The earthquake was the most recent event in a long chain of instability affecting Haiti. In July of this year, the countrys president was assassinated. The summer had seen a deadly surge of Covid-19 and shortages of even the most basic medical supplies. Gang activity and economic instability were rife.

All these things meant that another catastrophe would be harder to respond to and recover from. But it also meant that Direct Relief was already working closely with organizations on the ground, from a hospital in the quake zone to maternal health care providers.

Our response started before the earthquake, because Haitis been dealing with multiple and compounding crises that have had severe impacts on the local health care system, Hovey said. These are people weve been working with for more than a decade. We know them well and understand the issues theyre facing on a daily basis.

Calls to existing partners yielded some good news. St. Boniface Hospital, a major health facility in the earthquake zone, was launching its response and had already seen an influx of patients injured during the quake. Locally Haiti, a community-based group near the epicenter, was responding as well. St. Luke Foundation for Haiti, another partner, had a team already in the area. Mobile medical teams were departing from the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

But there was bad news too. The one major road in and out of Haitis southern peninsula was all but blocked by damage and gang activity.

We knew from our experience responding to Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which affected this same region, that road access out to the Haitian peninsula would be limited, making this a complicated response logistically, Hovey recalled.

When a disaster strikes, Direct Relief has generally already begun responding. In anticipation of a calamity, the organization has caches of supplies that are designed for disaster response containing PPE, wound care items, antibiotics, and much more staged all over the world.

In this case, there were emergency medical modules in Port-au-Prince, which were quickly transported by medical teams to Haitis southern peninsula, and another at the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Panama. Other supplies were nearby at Direct Reliefs Puerto Rico warehouse. And at the time of the earthquake, the organization had PPE and other medical supplies already en route to Haiti.

The emergency response teams first priority was deploying the emergency response modules as quickly as possible, arranging for them to be shipped and for partners on the ground to receive them. Designed to treat up to 1,000 people for 1 month following a disaster, Direct Reliefs Emergency Health Kits were among the first supplies to arrive in Haiti following the earthquake.

For Puerto Rico-based staffer Luis David Rodriguez, the earthquake brought another kind of challenge.

Direct Reliefs Puerto Rico warehouse is ideally positioned to serve as a disaster response hub for the Caribbean, which is at risk from hurricanes, earthquakes, and even volcanic eruptions. (The organization also responded to an eruption in St. Vincent and the Grenadines earlier this year.) In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, the emergency response team decided to send out seven pallets of PPE and emergency medical backpacks, designed for in-the-field use, from Puerto Rico and Rodriguez wanted to make sure it got safely to its destination.

We always like to come in contact with the partner, make sure the shipment gets into the right hands. To me personally, it was important, he said.

But with Covid-19 restrictions, he wasnt sure he was going to be able to accompany the shipment: I didnt know I was flying outuntil the day before.

Rodriguez had never been to Haiti. As he helped to unpack the boxes, he noted the U.S. Coast Guard and military helicopters landing in force at the airport. You have to get into Port-au-Prince and go through customs, he said of the process. Once the supplies had cleared, a team from St. Boniface Hospital prepared to transport them to the quake zone.

The first round was on its way. But Hovey knew from experience that emergency response involves a long-term strategy, not a quick fix. He and other Direct Relief staff contacted on-the-ground partners with curated lists of the relevant medical supplies currently in stock in Direct Reliefs warehouses and asked what they needed. The organization began reaching out to corporate donors, asking for the supplies that would be needed in upcoming weeks a list that included antibiotics, IV fluids, surgical supplies, anesthesia medications, and more.

The organizations corporate partners responded in force. Baxter provided a large donation of IV fluids. Pfizer sent requested antibiotics and other medications. Teva sent a range of essential and chronic disease medications; Merck provided pulmonary inhalers; and Eli Lilly supported Direct Reliefs Haiti response with a donation of much-needed human insulin.

In addition, three partners who were new to product donations with Direct Relief stepped up to help in the wake of the Haiti earthquake. Corza Medical offered sutures for orthopedic surgeries, which had been requested in the wake of the disaster. Integra contributed surgical supplies, and Organon offered medications for asthma and chronic disease.

Direct Relief staff started planning a large-scale charter flight, containing 164 double-stacked pallets of medical aid requested by partners working on the ground. The flight, donated by FedEx, contained multiple emergency medical modules, PPE, IV fluids, and a wide range of additional support.

Haiti is a young country more than half the population is under the age of 25, according to the World Population Review so a number of antibiotics and other medications were intended for pediatric patients. Wound care and crush injuries were still major concerns. Because so many medical facilities had been damaged, Direct Relief also provided durable tents for providers to treat patients and store supplies.

On-the-ground response following a disaster is expensive, and it needs to be flexible and fast. With that in mind, Direct Relief provided approximately $800,000 in emergency funding to partners that included St. Boniface, St. Luke Foundation for Haiti, Locally Haiti, and the NGO GHESKIO.

We committed undesignated emergency funds with the idea that more funding would follow from our donors, and fortunately it did, Hovey said.

And finally, as donations poured in from corporate partners, Direct Relief staff opened a dedicated online ordering portal that partners responding to the earthquake could use to procure needed medical supplies. Antibiotics, surgical and anesthesia medications, injectable cardiac medications, steroids, PPE, and chronic disease treatments were all on the list.

As far as emergency response operations go, according to Hovey, this one was successful and smooth: From our perspective, this is a pretty clean, ideal response, he said.

Currently, he said, most of the acute care needs caused by the earthquake, such as crush wounds, have faded. The problem is now medication and supply shortages, caused by damaged medical infrastructure and ongoing economic and political instability.

But Hovey emphasized that, when a large-scale disaster takes place, Direct Reliefs emergency response team thinks in terms of months and even years long after media attention has faded. As needs in Haiti have shifted in the three months since the earthquake, so too has the organizations response. Most recently, Direct Relief has provided or committed shipments of insulin, midwife kits, and Covid-19 therapies and rapid tests to the country.

Its something were going to continue focus on, for sure, Hovey said.

Since the earthquake struck, Direct Relief has provided more than $18 million worth of medical aid to organizations working in Haiti, with another $20.6 million committed. In addition, $795,000 in funding has been granted to on-the-ground groups.

See the article here:
The Anatomy of a Disaster Response - Direct Relief

Anatomy

The Anatomy of New Hugs – The New York Times

Welcome. The holidays approach, and with them, the excitement tinged with concern weve come to associate with get-togethers in the pandemic. This year, vaccinations affect the calculations. Were titrating our levels of anticipation and anxiety as we work out what a Thanksgiving gathering looks like in 2021. Indoors or out? Masked or not? Buffet or family-style? How many guests? How close will we sit? What will we talk about? What wont we talk about?

If youre planning to see friends and family for the holidays, youll probably need to negotiate what I recently called The New Hug, the sometimes-awkward way we greet each other now. I asked last week about the changes your own hugs and handshakes have undergone. Heres what you said. (Responses have been edited for length and clarity.)

I like to call The New Hug Hey Buddy. This hug is done with one arm extended over the shoulder of the recipient to give a little squeeze as both parties face the same direction. I havent actually initiated this hug but I have been the recipient so many times I am guessing its catching on. Michele Medina, Daytona Beach, Fla.

New Hug? No thanks. Im taking advantage of these times to (finally) be honest and tell people I dont want to hug, and it feels good. Some of its about specific people I dont want to hug, but Im just extending it to everybody so it wont be awkward. Most of my friends arent huggers anyway, so its working out well. Elizabeth Fox, Campbell, Calif.

What mainly changed for me is the smile around the eyes, since the lower part of our faces are now mostly hidden away to keep each other safe. I share more squinting and smiling eyes with people I interact with, be it in the park on my walks, with the people at the bakery, my neighbors. After all, smiles dont cost a thing but it can change someones day to the better! And from all the smiles I receive in return, I really feel like this is The New Hug for me. Regina Mayr, London

My version of The New Hug has been at first asking Are you doing hugs?, or May I give you a hug? When I receive an affirmation, my body as it comes into contact rolls off to one side, my head turned away from the receivers face. Its a shorter version than The Before Hug, and more of a gesture than an actual physical connection. It does not feel like The Real Deal Hug. For now, it will suffice. Kari Wishingrad, Anacortes, Wash.

My new handshake is baking goods for my loved and treasured ones, to provide some small measure of comfort and sustenance. Maria D. Medina-Whitfield, Slidell, La.

Check out this article about time millionaires from The Guardian. A sample: The enforced downtime of the pandemic caused many of us to reassess our attitudes to work, and whether we might be able to lead less lucrative but more fulfilling lives.

Ric Robertsons Getting Over Our Love is one of those new songs that feels like an old song. I had the sense that I knew it by heart the first time I heard it. Have a listen.

I spent a surprising amount of time perusing the U.S.P.S.s Postal Facts site, where I learned, among many other tidbits sure to help me in some future bar trivia contest, that Abraham Lincoln was a postmaster early in his career. Fascinating!

What are you planning for Thanksgiving? Will you gather in person? Have a virtual feast? Travel, stay at home? Tell us: athome@nytimes.com. Be sure to include your full name and location and we might feature your response in a future newsletter. Were At Home and Away. Well read every letter sent. And of course youll find more ideas for passing the time below.

More:
The Anatomy of New Hugs - The New York Times

Anatomy

Retired Anatomy Professor Conducted Live Autopsy Against Family’s Wishes – MedPage Today

In the 20th century, people could go to a city expo and see the Great Houdini perform magic tricks or Babe Ruth hammer baseballs.

This year, those attending the Oddities and Curiosities Expo in Portland, Oregon witnessed a retired anatomy professor conduct an autopsy on a cadaver. The live event was hosted by Death Science in a hotel ballroom in October, and tickets went for as much as $500. Neither the deceased nor his family gave permission for his body to be exhibited. What's more: he died from COVID-19, and potentially exposed attendees.

The body of David Saunders, 98, was given to a Baton Rouge, Louisiana funeral home after he died earlier this year. The body was then handed over to Med Ed Labs, a for-profit medical body broker based in Las Vegas, because his family asked for his corpse to be donated to science.

Med Ed Labs sold the cadaver to Death Science. Colin Henderson, a former University of Montana anatomy professor, conducted the autopsy over a few hours. It is unclear how many students or other medical personnel were in attendance.

"We will be observing a forensic autopsy on a full human cadaver. Death Science's medical professionals will be guiding us through a formal autopsy. From the external body exam to the removal of vital organs including the brain, we will find new perspectives on how the human body can tell a story. There will be several opportunities for attendees to get an up close and personal look at the cadaver," an event description stated.

Med Ed Labs did not expect Death Science to use the cadaver in this manner, the company said in a statement emailed to MedPage Today on Friday. Death Science "deceived us repeatedly stating the donor they requested would be utilized solely for educational anatomical dissection instructing academic students, paramedics, and personnel within forensic pathology fields. We had absolutely no prior knowledge that any donor provided by our network of surgical facilities would be used as part of the 'Oddities Expo' and explicitly no knowledge that people would be paying to attend a show," the company wrote.

"We were then utterly dismayed and horrified to hear from the Washington and Multnomah County (Oregon) Medical Examiners later in October that they had investigated Death Science and found the entity to be fraudulently representing itself as an accredited collegiate training program qualified in forensic pathology providing law enforcement Death Investigation Certificates," Med Ed Labs continued.

However, Death Science disputed this. Med Ed Labs was aware of the plans, Jeremy Ciliberto, Death Science founder and online personality, told KING 5. He called it "an educational event ... that allows the students to explore the body in a much more intimate way" and de-stigmatizes death. "This is not a sideshow. This is very professional."

Wrote Med Ed Labs: "All protocols and procedures were followed regarding handling the donor with utmost respect including draping over identifiable traits and limiting exposure."

Med Ed Labs gives families their loved ones' cremated remains in exchange for the donated body. The company "helps ease the process of planning and executing surgical and medical training events/labs," according to its website. "Attendees will be medical personnel, students, and residents" from surgical specialties.

Med Ed Labs also trains frontline healthcare workers and first responders, and has been supplying personal protective equipment during the pandemic. The company has more than 80 "medical training" facilities internationally, primarily in the U.S.

"There is no way to attain the skills necessary to become an excellent surgeon without having operated on cadavers at some point. That's what these cadaver training sessions offer," the website states.

Ciliberto has paid Med Ed Labs more than $10,000 per cadaver, according to KING 5. "Any concerns about the cadaver have always been addressed by the lab," he noted. "I am the host." Ciliberto said that he is planning to hold more "pay-per-view" autopsies.

Henderson, who was once nominated as a "student wellness advocate" by the University of Montana's Curry Health Center, was "simply hired to conduct the forensic dissection," Ciliberto added. He had more than 40 years' teaching experience, Med Ed Labs said. MedPage Today could not find any other credible background information about Henderson, including a medical degree.

The Oddities and Curiosities Expo confirmed that it did not organize the medical event in an email to MedPage Today. Contrary to reports, Med Ed Lab's statement, and the event page, the Expo also noted that it did not host the event.

A similar November event organized by Death Science was canceled in Seattle, after authorities and KING 5 News started asking questions.

"We feel that this was not respectful and certainly not ethical," Kimberly DiLeo, chief deputy medical examiner in Multnomah County, Oregon, told KING 5.

Med Ed Labs returned the body to the funeral home, the company said, and is working with Portland investigators "to help avoid this tragedy from recurring."

Death Science did not return a request for comment.

Dr. Henderson could not be reached for comment.

Last Updated November 08, 2021

Ryan Basen reports for MedPages enterprise & investigative team. He often writes about issues concerning the practice and business of medicine, nurses, cannabis and psychedelic medicine, and sports medicine. Send story tips to r.basen@medpagetoday.com. Follow

Read the original post:
Retired Anatomy Professor Conducted Live Autopsy Against Family's Wishes - MedPage Today

Anatomy

LSU Health rediscovers anatomy to correct co – EurekAlert

New Orleans, LA LSU Health New Orleans anatomists and their colleagues have shown that centuries-old knowledge about the musculature that assists with human walking and running was correct after all. Though the information was known many years earlier, Henry Grays detailed studies of the human thigh in the 1858 Anatomy: Descriptive and Surgical identified the iliopsoas, the most powerful hip flexor, as two separate and distinct muscles. Somewhere along the line, though, that information was simplified and combined in most modern textbooks. Students have been being taught that the two muscles combine into a single tendon that inserts on a bony bump known as the lesser trochanter. Research led by Jayc Sedlmayr, PhD and Emma Schachner, PhD, both associate professors of cell biology and anatomy at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, and their colleagues, found the early anatomists were right. These muscles do not join into a single tendon but attach to very different regions of the lesser trochanter in different ways. Their results are published online in The Anatomical Record, available here.

We did 3D digital modeling comparing the textbook idea of the two muscles inserting as a common tendon and our finding of them inserting separately in different areas, and found it completely changes how each works in flexing the hip, notes Dr. Sedlmayr. The models show that they function independently due to the different attachment sites.

Adds Dr. Schachner, Separate insertions. Separate innervations. Separate muscles. Their fibers interconnect but they have different moment arms in flexion than assumed before.

Besides showing, contrary to previously published descriptions, that the iliacus tendon does not fuse with the psoas tendon, the research team also found that the pectineus, adductor brevis, and magnus muscles have insertions into the lesser trochanter, too. This research makes it clear that the lesser trochanter is more important than previously identified.

They conclude that understanding the real anatomy is key. They conclude that since these muscles can be injured during activities like walking, running, and falls, their rediscovery has important implications about how to correctly approach them clinically.

These findings could also significantly affect our understanding of the evolution of human upright gait and bipedal locomotion, concludes Sedlmayr.

Other members of the research team included Drs Karl T. Bates of the University of Liverpool, and Jonathan J. Wisco of the Boston University School of Medicine.

__________________________________________________________________________

LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's flagship health sciences university, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine with branch campuses in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in public and private hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research in a number of areas in a worldwide arena, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment, or cure disease. To learn more, visit http://www.lsuhsc.edu, http://www.twitter.com/LSUHealthNO, or http://www.facebook.com/LSUHSC.

The Anatomical Record

Observational study

Human tissue samples

Revision of hip flexor anatomy and function in modern humans, and implications for the evolution of hominin bipedalism

26-Sep-2021

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

Follow this link:
LSU Health rediscovers anatomy to correct co - EurekAlert

Anatomy

19 Moments From Season 17 Of "Grey’s Anatomy" That Emotionally Destroyed Us – BuzzFeed

As per usual, the show puts Meredith Grey through the wringer. After catching the coronavirus, Meredith spends most of the season in a dream state where she meets the ghosts of her past. ABC / Via giphy.com

So many people have died on this show.

Obviously, Meredith seeing the love of her life after five seasons is a highlight! We have to automatically make this one of the best moments, of course. Even when they're just looking at each other on the fantasy beach, you can tell that that sizzle between Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey is still there after all of these years. (Never mind the fact that the rest of the world has no way to communicate with Meredith...)

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 3

Meredith theorizes that if she dies, the people in her life will just go on. But George tells her that his mother still carries grief with her after all of these years.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 4

This moment just goes to show how up in the air Meredith's fate is and how much senseless and tragic suffering has come from this terrible pandemic.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 6

The amount of death on this show is gratuitous, suffice to say. At least DeLuca gets a beautiful sendoff, despite dying out of the blue from a stabbing.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 7

This moment is bittersweet, given that Meredith and Derek didn't know that she was pregnant with Ellis when he died. So now, she knows that he knows what their daughter is like.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 8

Hayes joins Meredith on the beach, telling her that her kids want her back. The writers certainly play around with the idea of Hayes and Meredith dating this season, and this moment certainly gives him brownie points.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 8

When her late sister asks her about her favorite thing, Meredith recalls a memory of Bailey planting his face in a cake to make everyone laugh. Honestly, we've needed more Lexie and Meredith moments like these!

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 10

This is no Derek Shepherd elevator proposal, but Winston's understated approach is actually quite romantic and effortless he really had her thinking that she was going to listen to a song when he got down on one knee!

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 10

Weirdly enough, with all the love and forgiveness between them, Owen and Teddy, formerly one of the most toxic relationships on the show, ends up being one of the healthiest this season. Honestly, this moment's even more swoon-worthy than Owen's fake snow proposal.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 11

As the protests over the tragic death of George Floyd fill Grey Sloan, Maggie becomes livid after hearing Winston get pulled over while on the road. After a scary and dehumanizing encounter with the police, Winston returns to Maggie.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 12

Barring their Post-It note vows, Meredith and Derek never had a fancy ceremony, giving their wedding, instead, to Alex and Izzie way back in season five. Derek just wants Meredith to promise him one thing: to torture herself less. And he doesn't want her to leave the kids, either.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 13

It happens right when Zola's briefing Meredith about life at home...and we know that there's nothing Mer loves more than her kids. I'm not crying, you're crying.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 13

Shockingly, Jackson decides to move to Boston and asks April and Harriet to come with him. Even more shockingly, April reveals that she and Matthew formally split. Finally, Jackson and April have their shot at a happily ever after! Was that so hard, Grey's Anatomy?

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 14

Jackson, despite officially leaving this season, miraculously makes it out alive. His farewell with Meredith is bittersweet. Meredith shares with him that her first impression of him was that he had a big name to live up to something Mer, the daughter of Ellis Grey, knows a thing or two about. They then also get to share a sweet moment escaping the clap-out as Jackson sneaks her home.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 15

His roomie Jo obviously HATES this, but it's very sweet of Schmitt to extend a hand to his friend, who's clearly having a hard time with burnout during the pandemic.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 15

Aware that she may not have the strength to perform many surgeries in the near future, Meredith happily agrees.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 16

Despite a flirty encounter with the cute doctor who administered his trial vaccine, Schmitt eventually goes home to Nico, who confesses that Schmitt changed him for the better.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 16.

After a fierce fight for Luna, Jo wins custody despite initially failing her background check. All it took was selling her shares of the hospital to Koracick and annoying the hell out of Bailey.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 17

Yes, she and Jackson technically sneak out during the first clap-out when she was finally discharged from the hospital after surviving COVID. But Bailey makes sure that Mer would get a proper hospital clap-out for successfully operating on Gerlie, a nurse and fellow COVID survivor.

When it happens: Season 17, Episode 17

Get all the best moments in pop culture & entertainment delivered to your inbox.

See more here:
19 Moments From Season 17 Of "Grey's Anatomy" That Emotionally Destroyed Us - BuzzFeed

Anatomy

E.R. Fightmaster on the Importance of Non-Binary Representation on Greys Anatomy Whether That Is Being a Scientist or Fully in Love – Variety

SPOILER ALERT:Do not read if you have not watched Bottle Up and Explode!, the fifth episode of Greys Anatomy Season 18.

When E.R. Fightmaster landed the role of Dr. Kai Bartley on Greys Anatomy, the shows first non-binary doctor in its 18-season run, they knew one person in particular would be excited.

I used to watch some of the episodes with my mom, [who] religiously watches the show, Fightmaster, who is also non-binary, tells Variety. And its funny, because I have done other things, but when I told my mom about this, this is the first time she actually freaked out. Which, of course, made me feel very good. My relationship with show is through my mother and I think hearing her freak out was was the first time that I allowed myself to really think, Oh, yeah, this is an institution.

Fightmasters Kai joined the series via the medical dramas Minnesota-set storyline, as Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) came aboard part-time to join a research team that is working to cure Parkinsons on the behalf of Dr. David Hamilton (Peter Gallagher), who is both funding the project and has the disease.

Even though they have joined a very established series, Fightmaster says it has been an easy set to step onto.

The family that you see on Greys Anatomy, that is very authentic, Fightmaster says. I have really felt that I am getting to be a part of something special. And when I watch shows, I always hope that they have the dynamic that Im seeing, that they have this closeness that Im witnessing. And I can tell the audience that for Greys, that is real.

Here, Fightmaster talks to Variety about portraying the medical dramas first non-binary doctor, the possible blossoming romance with Kai and Amelia and the how the research team may handle challenges with Dr. Hamilton.

What does it mean to you to portray the first non-binary doctor on the show?

It is an honor. Its really exciting for me. I see a lot of the entertainment world through my eyes as a child, and I think about how little representation I saw on TV. And when I was growing up, that led me to not knowing that I was gay for a long time. Not having the language or understanding that I was gay. Not really being able to see a lot of people who presented gender in different ways than the norm. Being able to become some kind of representation for non-binary people of course, I dont represent every shade of non-binary, but I represent mine and being able to be that on screen, for whoever needs it, is really, really rewarding.

What conversations have you had with the writers and what input have you had in crafting Kai so far?

I bring myself to the character, but I will say that the Greys writers do not need a lot of help. Because they have such a legacy of diversity on the show, they have been very well-versed in writing full characters, full people that have their diversity, but are also human beings. And so, the way that my character has been handled thus far, even the first scene that Im in, I am referred to as they and its not a big discussion. Its not a big debate. Its just that I am established as a non-binary person and we move forward. That meant a lot to me, and showed me that the writers were going to be able to treat this character with the amount of respect I could possibly hope for.

Was that something you saw from the initial audition sides, or was it something that became more clear when you got your first script?

I think, in my memory, the character itself was non-binary. Thats all the writers. But what I think the writers also do really well on this show is they create these characters that arent vague, but are almost simple enough that when they bring actors onto the show, you can infuse your personality into them. So when I read the script, it was very easy to see the way that I would behave if I were Kai, how I would flirt if I were Kai. The only unbelievable thing is that I could possibly do science.

How has it been adjusting to the medical jargon?

[Laughs.] You think that youve memorized a line, and then you get on stage and you realize that you have been practicing the word incorrectly in your home for about four days. And then every take you do, youre just mispronouncing that word. So thats the reality that Im currently dealing with. But I like to think that Im getting better at it.

In Bottle Up and Explode!, Kai was very intrigued by Amelias history and present romantic status. What is their take on her?

They dont seem displeased. [Laughs.] I think that theres a very obvious flirtation there. Its not out of the realm of my personality to look at a woman who is good at her job, handling equipment, speaking in medical jargon I, as an actor, would be attracted to that. So Im sure that Kai feels the same way.

Amelia tells Kai about her complicated relationship with Link (Chris Carmack) and their child. Do any of those ties elsewhere give Kai pause?

I think of Kai as a very grounded person. And I dont think that someone having a fraught past relationship would get in their way.

Something that excites me about the Kai and Amelia plotline, at this point, is that there seems to be a lot of tenderness there. And respect. And so, if Amelia is coming out of a relationship that is heterosexual and that was bound for marriage and has children involved, I think its really interesting to think about allowing that character to enjoy life after that, without judgment.

Whether its with Amelia or someone else, what does getting to portray Kai in a hypothetical love story mean to you?

I think its really important for people not only to see themselves on-screen, but to see themselves in different versions of humanity on screen whether that is being a scientist or fully in love. And I dont take it lightly in any way that I get to be a non-binary person that I have not seen on-screen in this show. Getting to see someone be non-binary and flirting and doing science and communicating its all these baseline things I think a lot of times we can take for granted with people that are cis. We dont see a lot of non-binary representation, but actually it really is important to see a non-binary person from every angle. If [it happens], to get to be allowed to be a love interest is a very important thing to see.

The episode also included the tidbit that Kai knew Tom Koracick (Greg Germann), who briefly joined the Minnesota hospital team but wasnt a fan. What conversations did you have with Greg about your characters potential shared history?

Unfortunately, for me as an actor, it was a pain in the ass to pretend to not like Tom in any way because Greg Germann is incredible. And its me, Peter Gallagher, Caterina Scorsone, Ellen and Greg in a green room in between the scenes, and he is just consistently making me laugh in a way that felt so familiar to me. I felt that when the day ended, OK today I acted because pretending to not like this man is the hardest thing Ive ever had to do.

Looking ahead, what can you preview about the teams dynamic as they try to find a cure for Parkinsons?

Its really been fun as an actor, and even a viewer, to look at the four of them find their groove and to find a way that they actually, naturally, interact. Because every person every actor, and every character in that room does bring a very different energy. And I think thats what makes the scenes so dynamic and fun for me. The minute that they yell cut, it really is this special room. Any room is special with Peter and Ellen and Caterina inside of it, but the hardest part is for us to settle down and get back to shooting, because I genuinely believe that we are having a really fun time together.

What will be the biggest challenge for them as they navigate the natural ups and downs of research?

It seems to me that the biggest hurdle here is Dr. Hamiltons insane ego. We are trying to fix Parkinsons for him, but its also through his funding, [which] creates a really interesting dynamic. And I think itll be really interesting to see it plays, when someone is personally funding something, how involved they are and how strategic you have to be when you are both being paid by them, but you are trying to reach the same goal that they are.

As his disease progresses, how will that impact both the urgency of the team and also potentially his limitations to assist?

Its been interesting to get to act with Peter Gallagher, because he is so fun and warm, and hes so effervescent. And so even having these written conversations in this world where he is losing mental capabilities, losing physical capability, does make me think about Parkinsons in a different way. Im really lucky to not have a lot of people in my life that are affected by that disease, but I hope that the people who watch the show that do have loved ones that are affected by Parkinsons feel that the show is handling it with as much respect and care as it deserves.

Greys Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.

Read the original post:
E.R. Fightmaster on the Importance of Non-Binary Representation on Greys Anatomy Whether That Is Being a Scientist or Fully in Love - Variety

Anatomy

TNF Rises With RavensDolphins Game; Greys Anatomy Steady From Premiere Crossover Event With Major Station 19 Exit – Deadline

Another week of Thursday Night Football, another primetime win for Fox. The latest game between the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins saw the latter snag a win 22-10. The NFL broadcast was obviously the primetime winner earning a 2.1 rating in 18-49 demo and 8.02 million viewers.

TNF was up from last weeks game between the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets by three tenths in demo rating and 8% in viewers.

In the non-sports fare, Young Sheldon (0.7, 6.76M) returned as the most-watched program, as was the case in the previous week. In terms of demo rating, the CBS comedy tied with Greys Anatomys latest installment.

Greys Anatomy returned for its latest Station 19 crossover event, which bid farewell to Okieriete Onaodowans Dean Miller. The Station 19 firefighter died from injuries sustained during a pair of explosions that rattled Seattle. With the dramatic crossover event, Greys was up from its last installment and rose from the last crossover event.

NBCs best title of the evening was Law & Order: SVU (0.6, 3.58M) which was steady in demo rating but slipped in viewers. Law & Order: Organized Crime (0.5, 2.92M) also saw the same trend, falling slightly in viewers but staying steady demo-wise. The Blacklist (0.3, 2.93M) rose in audience.

The rest of CBS primetime slate was steady in demo rating. The CW peaked with Walker (0.1, 0.88M)

Originally posted here:
TNF Rises With RavensDolphins Game; Greys Anatomy Steady From Premiere Crossover Event With Major Station 19 Exit - Deadline

Anatomy

Anatomy of a 21 Yard Weak Side Off-Tackle TD – Revenge of the Birds

Background: Nov 7, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin (26) runs for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson

Why The Play Was Successful:

Kudos to Kingsbury and Cardinals Coaches:

When I had the privilege of working with John Madden, he told me that this weak side off-tackle play was his favorite and the #1 play he would install each year in training camp - the only differences were that, back in his day, he didnt run it out of a spread or a shotgun formation - he ran it typically out of an I formation with a direct under center snap to the QB and with the FB making the kick out block on the weak side DE, with the weak side T blocking down to open the hole.

Of course, it helped Madden to foster a romance for the weak side off-tackle play when he had Art Shell at LT, Gene Upshaw at LG and his two RBs in the Raiders 32-14 Super Bowl XI win were Clarence Davis (16 carries for 137 yards) and Mark van Eeghen (18 carries for 73 yards) with FB Pete Banaszak lead blocking and scoring 2 TDs in the red zone.

Basically, the Cardinals assigned the kick out role on this play to D.J. Humphries, and assigned the down blocks on the DT and FS to Sean Harlow and Antoine Wesley.

This play is a testament to Kliff Kingsbury, Sean Kugler, James Saxon and the Cardinals offensive coaches teaching ability. Think about it - not only was the play call and the design outstanding - the offense executed the play to near perfection, with 3 next man up players (Harlow, Wesley and Benjamin) who have spent most of the time with the second team offense.

This 21 yard weak side off-tackle TD makes the likes of John Madden beam with pride.

Link:
Anatomy of a 21 Yard Weak Side Off-Tackle TD - Revenge of the Birds