The creation of the television was the combination of a number of individuals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However‚ the development of the TV was somewhat stalled during the Second World War‚ with all-electronic methods of scanning and displaying the images becoming the norm afterward. Nevertheless‚ as the technology of the television increased over the years... Source

Harvard may assume the forced resignation of its president‚ Claudine Gay‚ has finally ended its monthlong scandal over her tenure.Gay stepped down‚ remember‚ amid serious allegations of serial plagiarism—without refuting the charges. She proved either unable or unwilling to discipline those on her campus who were defiantly antisemitic in speech and action.But Gay’s removal is not the end of Harvard’s dilemma. Rather‚ it is the beginning.In the respective press releases from both Gay and the Harvard Corporation‚ racial animus was cited as a reason for her removal. Gay did not even refer to her failure to stop antisemitism on her campus or her own record of blatant plagiarism. Yet playing the race card reflects poorly on both and for a variety of reasons.One‚ Gay’s meager publication record—a mere 11 articles without a single published book of her own—had somehow earned her a prior Harvard full professorship and presidency. Such a thin resume leading to academic stardom is unprecedented.Two‚ the University of Pennsylvania forced the resignation of its president‚ Liz Magill. She sat next to Gay during that now-infamous congressional hearing in which they both claimed they were unable to discipline blatant antisemitism on their campuses.Instead‚ both pleaded “free speech” and “context” considerations.Such excuses were blatantly amoral and untrue. In truth‚ Ivy League campuses routinely sanction‚ punish‚ or remove staff‚ faculty‚ or students deemed culpable for speech or behavior deemed hurtful to protected minorities—except apparently white males and Jews.Yet Magill was immediately forced to resign‚ and Gay was not. Also noteworthy was Magill’s far more impressive and extensive administrative experience‚ along with a more prestigious scholarship that was free of even a suggestion of plagiarism.Academia’s immediate firing of a white woman while trying desperately to save the career of a less qualified and ethically challenged black woman will be seen not as a case of racial bias but more likely of racial preference.Indeed‚ to keep Gay’s job and to defend her from plagiarism charges‚ both Harvard and Gay herself were willing to say things that were simply absurd‚ if not patently untrue.Harvard invented a new phrase‚ “duplicative language‚” to euphemize the reality of Gay’s intellectual theft.Even after Gay resigned‚ Harvard “jumped the shark” by further downplaying her plagiarism by dubbing it as mere “missteps.”Harvard and its supporters further embarrassed themselves by alleging that if the victims of Gay’s plagiarism didn’t object‚ then why did her expropriation matter that much?Are we then to assume that plagiarism is not a serious violation of the entire ethos of scholarship‚ quite in addition to the aggrieved plagiarized party?The university descended even further by suggesting that if the complaints were lodged by anonymous scholars‚ they were somehow less serious.Has Harvard ever heard of the reasons why whistleblowers are often protected from retribution by grants of anonymity?Liberal Harvard‚ through its lawyers‚ even threatened the New York Post with legal action if it aired charges of Gay’s plagiarism.Yet only days later‚ the university was swamped by further proof of Gay’s scholarly misconduct‚ involving improper use of data and more plagiarism extending back even to her dissertation.Harvard‚ remember‚ claimed that it had conducted a thorough investigation that had cleared her of actionable plagiarism—even as more charges arose of her prior culpability.But more importantly‚ what happens to ex-president Gay now?Does resigning from the Harvard presidency and returning to a full professorship mean that charges of plagiarism disappear?Would any other Harvard professors continue to be employed without addressing over two dozen separate charges of plagiarism lodged against them?Do Gay‚ the Harvard Corporation‚ and the more than 700 Harvard professors who closed ranks and wrote a letter supporting Gay now argue that plagiarism is no longer a serious offense at the nation’s supposedly most preeminent university?Will students who emulate Gay’s habit of copy-and-paste‚ failure-to-footnote‚ and misuse-of-data now be exempt from dismissal or suspension?After Gay’s embarrassing Dec. 5 congressional testimony and her resignation‚ what now is the Harvard policy toward antisemitism?If next week‚ anti-Israel students once again call for the destruction of the Jewish people in Israel all the way “from the river to the sea‚” or if they again storm Harvard’s Widener library‚ screaming support for the Oct. 7 massacre and intimidating Jewish students‚ what will the new—or old—Harvard do?Again nothing?Finally‚ Harvard insinuated that Gay was fired by racist outside pressure—despite the fact that many of her critics were large donors furious about the diminution of the reputation of their alma mater.Is Harvard suggesting that its own megadonors are racists?What then might come next?The resignation of the entire board of the Harvard Corporation that is the ultimate cause of Harvard’s descent into mediocrity. (C)2024 Tribune Content Agency‚ LLC. The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation.  Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Harvard—Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Same-sex couples and singles‚ no matter their sexual orientation‚ now qualify as infertile. That is‚ at least‚ according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine‚ whose guidelines now redefine infertility to include anyone who needs “donor eggs‚ sperm‚ or embryo to conceive as a couple or individual.” You read that right: Under this official new definition‚ any individual who prefers not to reproduce naturally is “infertile.” The guidelines recently released by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine go on to say that “nothing in this definition shall be used to deny or delay treatment to any individual‚ regardless of relationship status or sexual orientation.” Not even biology‚ which requires a man and a woman to conceive a child‚ matters when it comes to fulfilling the desires of adults. This is a massive break with medical science and natural law. In the past‚ the term “infertility” has referred to couples who are unable to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. To be sure‚ infertility is not just one thing. It is‚ rather‚ a symptom of any number of issues that may prohibit a couple from naturally conceiving a child. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list many examples‚ including polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis in women and low sperm motility in men. These physical hurdles to reproduction can‚ in theory‚ be treated. So‚ they don’t include the fact that a man needs an egg from a female‚ or a woman needs sperm from a man‚ to reproduce. That’s true of every man or woman‚ respectively‚ because in nature it takes one fertile male and one fertile female to conceive. No individual‚ and no same-sex couple—whether two men or two women—can naturally bear children. That doesn’t mean they’re infertile. It just means they don’t satisfy the conditions for reproduction. The redefinition goes far beyond ASRM’s desire for inclusive language. It’s designed to get health insurance companies to cover the cost of infertility treatments for those who—by sexual lifestyle or simple preference—don’t satisfy the natural prerequisites for reproducing. As more states move to provide coverage for in vitro fertilization‚ artificial insemination‚ and intrauterine insemination‚ liberals hope to tack on same-sex couples and single persons‚ too. With donor egg‚ sperm‚ or embryo‚ these guidelines encourage adults to create a child with whom they will have no biological connection. The ASRM’s redefinition of infertility will corrupt every part of the fertility industry‚ which few state or federal laws govern. Instead‚ clinics rely on guidelines from fertility groups to provide ethical standards and legal guidance. It’s no surprise that a recent bill on reproductive technology from Sen. Cory Booker‚ D-N.J.‚ includes these same standards. Indeed‚ in cahoots with the groups Men Having Babies and Resolve‚ Illinois redefined infertility in 2021. Three other states—California‚ Minnesota‚ and New York—are considering similar legislation.  Men Having Babies claims that such a definition is needed to achieve “fertility equality.” The group claims‚ in other words‚ that a definition based on nature—on biology—is discriminatory. But for a law to discriminate‚ a person’s sex (in this example) must be a secondary factor. When it comes to childbearing and pregnancy‚ one’s sex is essential. For good or ill‚ same-sex couples and single persons already may access in vitro fertilization. Nonetheless‚ such reproductive technologies come with a steep price tag of $15‚000 to $30‚000 per round. This makes it unaffordable for many nontraditional parents‚ especially those on one income. Some may think that redefining fertility is progress‚ since it means more people can afford to have children. Of course‚ children are good‚ and we need more of them. But this doesn’t mean every approach to childbearing is good or praiseworthy. When it comes to the use of reproductive technology‚ the law and fertility guidelines should prioritize a child’s best interests over adult preferences. This means it matters how doctors create children‚ and to whom such children are given. Children benefit most when their biological parents raise them in an intact family. And unlike adoption‚ donor conception intentionally severs the biological relationship a child has with his mother and father. It also opens the door to a host of poor outcomes. When a non-related adult is present in the home‚ children are 11 times more likely to suffer physical or sexual abuse. On average‚ a child’s educational‚ psychological‚ and emotional outcomes plummet. What may seem like a simple matter of an “inclusive definition” for adults is an earth-shattering loss of relationship for the child. It’s one thing for the law to allow all single people and same-sex couples to use in vitro fertilization or surrogacy. It’s another thing to change the legal definition of infertility to subsidize their desire for kids. Lawmakers should oppose this radical rejection of biology and put a stop to the redefinition of infertility.  Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.   The post Major Fertility Group Redefines Infertility to Include‚ Well‚ Anyone  appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Making your own compost is a fantastic way to reduce waste‚ and create free natural fertilizer for your garden! If you’re interested in setting up a new compost pile‚ you’ve come to the right place. This tutorial will walk you through the step-by-step process we took to build a compost bin – including the supplies needed‚ our DIY compost bin design and measurements‚ drawings‚ and tons of photos to guide you along the way. There is a condensed printable version at the end of this post too! We’ve been composting for over a decade using a variety of smaller systems. Yet the recent addition of four mini-donkeys to our homestead motivated us to finally build the big 3-bay compost bin of our dreams. They generate a lot of manure‚ which will make stellar compost! Once we came up with the design‚ it was quite simple to build the compost bin… so we’ve already done the hardest part for you! It reminded me a lot of building a raised garden bed since we used many similar materials and steps. Even if you don’t follow our exact design‚ I hope you find this helpful as a general guide and inspiration! We had to design our compost bin with these little stinkers in mind – our newly adopted mini donkeys. The Best Compost Bin Size Compost bins come in many shapes‚ sizes‚ and styles. On our homestead‚ we use everything from a compact worm bin and compost tumblers to large 3-bay compost bins.  To make a traditional passive or slow compost pile‚ it’s best to provide at least a three-by-three foot space. Yet for optimal microbial activity and decomposition‚ a compost pile should be at least 4x4x4 feet. That allows for enough material to be piled up to make a hot compost pile too‚ which is what we plan to do! If space allows‚ it’s ideal to provide an area for several piles (usually separated by walls or “bays”) so that the compost can be rotated and turned. A classic 3-bay compost system includes one section to actively add fresh material to‚ one section that’s regularly being turned but not added to‚ and a final section to hold finished compost – ready and waiting to use in your garden.  In today’s lesson we’ll build a compost bin with 3 bays‚ though you can tweak this tutorial to make just a single bay‚ two-bay‚ or smaller 3-bay compost bin as well. We used to have just a single bin at our old urban homestead – and it did the job!  Our compost tumbler and old single-bay compost bin at our previous homestead. In the single bay bin‚ we had to make compost in batches‚ turn the pile in place‚ and then wait for everything to break down before starting over again. Our New Compost Bin Design and Dimensions Below are photos and drawings of our 3-bay compost design. The compost bin features three 4x4x4 bays‚ and takes up a total footprint of about 12×4 feet. I’ve also included a bonus drawing of a second simplified compost bin design that you could use if you prefer (yet note the lumber dimensions and instructions will vary slightly). Our compost bin design features removable face boards that can be added via tracks or slots along the frontside of each bay. By doing so‚ you can pile up the compost nice and high rather than letting it spill out the otherwise open front side. This helps maximize the use and capacity of the compost bin‚ and is also optimal for speedy decomposition and hot composting! The exact design we used to build our compost bin‚ though you can use it as a general idea too! Don’t worry‚ all the lumber and supplies required are explained in more detail below. Here’s an even more basic 3-bay design‚ where you’d cut and build all four 4-foot walls the same (like step 3 below) and then simply attach back boards. This design doesn’t require fence rail brackets for the inner walls. You could still add additional wood around the front to create “tracks” for removable face boards like our original design. However‚ adding face boards will make these bins slightly less than 4 feet deep. TBH‚ these walls may be a tad more sturdy than our original design. Donkeys‚ Gates‚ and Design Flexibility Please note that we designed our DIY compost bin with a few very specific needs in mind. In addition to being durable‚ functional‚ and attractive‚ we needed our compost to be donkey-proof!  Our four 250-pound miniature donkeys LOVE to rub up against wood posts and structures‚ yet we needed to build the compost bin in their pasture area for easy manure management. So‚ we chose extra sturdy lumber and also added additional support braces to withstand their rubbing.  In addition to the removable front wood slats‚ we also added hinged gates to the front side of each compost bay to keep the donkeys out (which we can also take completely off and on with ease). As a bonus‚ the gates will deter some other critter activity as well! That said‚ we had to ensure the width of each compost bay (or space between the walls) was very precise‚ since the gates needed to fit on the front side of each. The walls also had to be very straight so the gates could hang square and level. Though they’re fairly light‚ the gates do put added weight and pressure on the compost bin walls‚ so I only recommend adding them if necessary. Since most of you folks won’t have such specific quirks to work around‚ feel free to be more flexible and creative in your compost bin design and build! For example‚ it’s not a big deal if your bays aren’t all exactly the same size or perfectly level. They wouldn’t even let us finish building the compost bin before they started to investigate and rub on it This is fun‚ thanks Mom and Dad! Supplies Needed to Build a Compost Bin Here are the tools and supplies we used to build a compost bin‚ along with some alternative materials you could use too. See the printable “how-to” at the end of this post for a condensed supplies list and instructions. Tools Saw Power Drill Level Aviation snips‚ for cutting hardware cloth Measuring tape Hardware Longer screws: 2 ½ to 3-inch outdoor wood screws or decking screws to connect the 2x6s (or 2x4s) to the 4×4 corners. Shorter screws: 1-inch or 1-1/4″ wide head cabinet screws to attach the hardware cloth to the 2×6 walls Fence rail brackets (12 total) to connect the 2x6s to the 2x4s on the two interior walls of the compost bin Screws to attach brackets: 1 inch or 1/4″ inch screws – either use the same cabinet screws as above or shorter wood/deck screws Optional: 4 flat corner braces (one for each wall) for added stability. Optional: 4-foot steel tube gates‚ one for the front of each bay. (The gates come with J-bolt hinges to hang them‚ but you’ll need a 1/2″ drill bit to make pilot holes for the J-bolts.) Lumber We used redwood 2×6 lumber to build our compost bin‚ as we wanted something extra durable and sturdy that will stand the test of time (and donkeys). You could also use 2×4 boards‚ though you’d want to add an additional horizontal row of boards (four rows instead of three like we did) so take that into account when you’re calculating lumber needs. Redwood is easily accessible here in California‚ though cedar is another great durable alternative. We chose 8 foot long boards to build our compost bin because a) that’s what fit in our Subaru‚ and b) it divides up nicely without waste (compared to using 10 ft boards for 4-foot walls for example). In total‚ we needed eleven 8-foot 2x6s for this compost bin design. However‚ 12 foot boards would work even better for the backside! That way‚ you could use three solid 12-foot long boards along the back‚ plus six 8-foot boards for the walls instead. Four 8-foot 4×4 boards (cut in half) for the corner supports or end of each wall Three 8-foot 2x4s (cut in half) to create the slots that the removable face boards will slide into along the front side of each bin. Removable face boards: 1×12 inch pine wood boards (which really measure ¾” inch thick). Using three per bay‚ they stack up to create a nice 3-foot tall front wall. We used five 8-foot long boards total‚ cut roughly in half. Or‚ use 9 of these four-foot boards and trim them if needed. Wait to measure and cut the boards for each bay until after you build the compost bin! Wire Mesh Compost needs to breathe! To provide adequate airflow‚ we built our compost bin with minimal wood and lined the walls with hardware cloth instead. You’ll need about 25 to 30 feet of 4-foot wide 1/2″ hardware cloth for our size bin. Hardware cloth is ideal for a compost bin design for several reasons: a) it stays taught and won’t bend or bow out under the weight of the compost b) the gaps are small enough to hold little bits of compost IN while also keeping vermin OUT‚ and c) it’s galvanized and won’t rust‚ so it’ll last forever!  You could also use chicken wire to build a compost bin‚ though if you do‚ I would add more wood slats around the outside to offer additional support. Also keep in mind chicken wire is prone to degrading over time‚ and vermin can fit through the holes.  INSTRUCTIONS Step 1: Choose a Location + Site Prep Where to put a compost bin? A compost pile should be located close enough to your garden or house for easy access and use‚ but not so close to home that potential odors or flies would be an issue. (Though a properly maintained compost pile should not stink!) The compost bin should also be located on fairly level ground. Since it’s quite large and heavy‚ we built our compost bin in place and used a landscaping rake to smooth out the ground surface first. You could also construct the smaller side walls on a flat work surface elsewhere‚ then assemble the compost bin in its final location.  Finally‚ it’s best to leave the bottom of the compost bin open to the native soil below (as opposed to adding landscape fabric‚ wire‚ or other materials below it). This leaves opportunity for drainage‚ beneficial microbe exchange‚ natural earthworm activity‚ and also makes it easier to turn or scoop out the compost without getting snagged up on something on the bottom. FAQ: Should a compost pile be in the sun or shade? A compost pile can be located in either sun or shade‚ and there are pros and cons to each. A sunny location will help to warm the compost‚ speeding up decomposition nicely. Yet a lot of sun will also dry out the pile more readily‚ requiring it to be watered more often as needed. In the shade‚ the compost will stay nice and moist but will break down slower. Our new compost bin is in a fairly shady location (some morning sun‚ with afternoon shade) – open to the soil below for drainage‚ microbial activity‚ and easy scooping. Step 2: Measure and Cut Wood Next‚ gather all your lumber‚ take and mark measurements‚ and cut the boards to the desired size for your DIY compost bin design. Corners: Cut the 4×4 corners to four feet tall (e.g. cut the 8-foot 4x4s in half) Back: If you’re using 12 foot boards‚ the back wall boards won’t need to be cut at all. Since we used 8 foot boards‚ we left three of them whole at 8 feet‚ then cut a couple to create the three additional 4-foot boards needed for the back of bay 3. Walls: Though each bay is about 4×4 feet‚ we didn’t cut all of the side wall boards exactly to four feet. Because the two interior walls also have the added length of a 4×4 on each end‚ we cut six eight-foot boards at 51.5 inches that were used for the two end walls (the total depth of the finished compost bin). That left behind 6 pieces that were 44.5 inches to use for the two interior walls – which also equals 51.5 inches once the 4x4s are added to each end (since 4x4s actually measure 3.5 by 3.5 inches). See photo below. Showing why the inner wall boards are cut a bit shorter than the outer walls in our design‚ since we sandwiched them between two 4x4s on the ends using fence rail brackets (adding to the total wall length). Step 3: Build Compost Bin Outer Walls Begin by building one end or outer wall of the compost bin. For our compost bin design‚ these were the 51.5” sections. We find it is easiest to lay two 4×4 corner pieces on a flat surface (spaced the width of the wall)‚ then lay the three horizontal 2×6 boards across the 4x4s – one at the top‚ one at the bottom‚ and one spaced halfway in between. Keep the ends of the 2×6 flush with the sides of the 4×4. See photos below.  Next‚ add 2 long screws to the ends of each 2×6‚ securing them to the 4×4 below. Repeat the same process for the second outer wall.  TIP: Before securing with screws‚ check that everything is square using a carpenter square or measuring tape. With a tape‚ I measure the distance between the 4x4s at both the top and bottom to ensure they’re equal. I also like to help hold everything tight in place while Aaron screws everything in.  Everything square‚ 2 screws at the end of each 2×6. Step 4: Install Back Once you have the two end walls of the compost bin assembled‚ stand them up and add the long boards along the back to create a giant U-shape. Try to set everything up where you want it to stay long term‚ as the compost bin will get heavier and more difficult to move the more you add to it. It’s important to keep the 2x6s on the outside of the bin‚ with the 4×4 corners facing the inside of the bin. (The 4x4s provide part of the lip or edge that the removable front boards will tuck into.) Also check that the walls and back boards are relatively level as you go – front to back‚ and side to side. Again‚ this part is extra easy using 12 foot boards. Simply add the 12 foot boards between each end wall‚ securing them to the corner 4x4s.  Since we built our compost bin with 8 foot boards instead‚ we had to construct the backside in sections by connecting 8 foot boards and 4 foot boards together in the middle with an additional 4×4 to create the total 12 feet. (That additional 4×4 will become the base for one center wall) Where the 8 ft and 4 ft boards meet along the backside We kept the back boards flush with the 4×4 corner (rather than overlapping the wall 2x6s) as to not shorten our bins. Step 5: Add Inner Walls Next the compost bin needs two interior walls‚ spaced 4 feet apart. Ours are 43.5″ apart when measuring inside-to-inside of each 4×4‚ as shown in our design drawing. If you’d like‚ you can go ahead to Step 6 and add hardware cloth to the back and side walls first (as you’ll see we did in the photos below)‚ as long as the hardware cloth won’t impede where you’re attaching the two inner walls. To build the compost bin inner walls‚ you can either assemble them separately (like the outer walls) and then attach them to the back wall of the bin‚ or build them onto the back boards in-place. We chose to build them in-place since one of the inner wall 4x4s was already connected to the back.  In our DIY compost bin design‚ the inner walls are made with three 44.5 inch boards connected between a 4×4 on each end. We used these fence rail brackets to connect the 2x6s to the 4×4‚ with one at the top of the 4×4‚ one at the bottom‚ and one spaced halfway in between. Screw them onto the 4×4 first‚ ensuring the brackets are centered‚ straight and level on the 4×4. Then slide the 2x6s into the brackets and add screws to secure them.Reminder: keeping the 4x4s at the end of the 2x6s (rather than screwing the 2×6 flat against the 4×4 side) creates a lip and part of the slot we need for the removable front boards.  We did our best to check level as we assembled each inner wall (keeping them consistent with the outer walls) so the front face boards will move smoothly in their tracks later. Step 6: Add Hardware Cloth After building the compost bin frame‚ it’s time to add mesh wire (hardware cloth) along the inside of the walls and back. Be careful when working with hardware cloth – it can easily scratch and poke you! Rather than wrapping an entire bay in hardware cloth at once‚ we found it was easiest to measure‚ cut‚ and attach the hardware cloth to each wall one-by-one. It’s fine to overlap the hardware cloth onto the 4x4s along the back wall and corners‚ but keep it flush with the 4×4 on the front side so extra hardware cloth won’t block the slot where the removable front boards will go. See photos below. Secure the hardware cloth to the wood using 1” cabinet screws‚ pinching a corner section of the wire mesh under the wide head of the screw. Add screws in several places. TIP: Since hardware cloth tends to bubble‚ I found it was easiest to hold the cut piece of hardware cloth in place‚ straight and centered on the wall where we wanted it. Then we secured it with screws along the middle first (one in each wall board) and slowly worked our way out‚ adding screws from the center towards both corners of the walls‚ holding or pulling the hardware cloth taught and smooth as we went.  Keep the hardware cloth flat‚ flush and tidy in the front part of the compost bin‚ as to not impede the track for the removable front boards. On the other hand‚ it’s okay to slightly “apron” or overlap the hardware cloth in the back corners. You only need hardware cloth on one side of each inner wall – no need to line both sides. Step 7: Removable Face Boards Now it’s time to create the slots or “tracks” for the removable front boards to slide into. Add a 2×4 vertically to the inner wall of each bay – 2 per bay‚ or 6 total. See photos below. Use screws to secure each 2×4 vertically about 1 inch to 1.25 inches back from 4×4 at the front of each wall. We used “1-inch” thick face boards‚ but their true measurement is ¾ thick. The ¼ to ½ inch gap gives us enough wiggle room to easily get the boards in and out (leaving room for any swelling)‚ but without so much extra space that the boards can fall in front or behind one another. Measure to ensure the spacing is fairly straight and even along the entire length between the 2×4 and 4×4 before securing them‚ so the removable face boards can move smoothly up and down the track. Wait to cut the removable face boards until the compost bin and tracks are completely assembled! Measure and note the length of the front slot for each bay. We found that the width of our bays varied slightly‚ requiring us to cut custom boards of different lengths to fit each bay (3 per bay). I added a number 1‚ 2‚ or 3 to the back of each board to easily keep track. TIP: When measuring and cutting the face boards‚ give yourself a little bit of wiggle room. Cut them long enough so they’ll stay tucked into the desired track‚ but not so long that they’ll be tight and difficult to get in and out. The track that the removable front boards will slide into (inner wall on the left‚ outer wall on the right) Our bay sizes all varied ever-so-slightly‚ so I waited to measure and cut three face boards per bay until after the compost bin was completely assembled. The perfect fit – stays in place‚ but isn’t difficult to slide up and down As the pile gets higher‚ we’ll add a 3rd front board on top Step 8: Finishing Touches At this point‚ your new DIY compost bin is basically complete and ready to use! However‚ we chose to add a few finishing touches to ours. To give the walls added stability (for the donkeys)‚ we added an 8” flat corner brace to the top of each wall – or four total. We also installed lightweight 4-foot Behlen Country steel tube gates on the front of each bay. They’re secured closed to the 4x4s with a simple eye hook and carabiner type latch. If you’ve never hung gates on J-bolts before‚ I highly recommend watching this tutorial. However‚ we installed the J-bolts straight out of the front of the 4×4‚ not on the sides. We also kept both J-bolts facing UP intentionally‚ so we could easily lift and take the gates off if needed – such as when we’re turning the piles from one bay to the next. For added vermin and pest protection (if needed)‚ you could also build and attach a hinged lid on top of each bay‚ such as with wood and hardware cloth.  I also chose to stain the pine front boards (outward facing side only) to help the light wood blend in better with the overall design.  Optional corner braces for each wall We hung the gate hinges on both outer walls and just one inner wall to reduce the weight burden on the less sturdy inner walls. Simple clasp to an eyehook to keep them closed By keeping both J-bolts facing up‚ we can easily lift the gates off completely when needed And that’s how it’s done. That‚ my friends‚ is how we built our new compost bin. I know that was probably a lot to take in‚ but I sure hope the added details and photos made it easier to understand! Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments and we’d be happy to help. Next‚ you may be wondering… how do I actually USE this thing? I promise I will follow up soon with a guide on how to use a 3-bay compost bin‚ along with how to make a hot compost pile. In the meantime‚ don’t miss the related articles listed below. Also please consider sharing or pinning this post if you found it useful‚ and leave a review! Thank you so much for reading. Happy composting! You may also like: Composting 101: What‚ Why &; How to Compost at Home (this guide covers compost basics‚ including what type of food waste‚ browns‚ greens‚ and other materials to add!) Vermicomposting 101: How to Make &; Maintain a Simple Worm Bin How to Make Actively Aerated Compost Tea to Fertilize Your Garden How to Amend and Fertilize Garden Bed Soil Between Seasons How to Build a Raised Garden Bed: Step-by-Step Guide Companion Planting 101 (w/ Garden Companion Planting Chart) Print How to Build a Compost Bin (Wood 3-Bay Compost Bin Design) Come learn how to build a compost bin with our step-by-step guide to make a wood 3-bay compost bin design‚ full of helpful tips and photos. Equipment1 Power Drill1 Saw (electric)1 Measuring Tape1 Level1 Aviation snips to cut hardware cloth IngredientsLumber11 pieces 8-foot 2×6 boards (or three 12-foot boards + six 8-foot boards)4 pieces 8-foot 4x4s3 pieces 8-foot 2x4s5 pieces 8-foot 1×12 boards (or nine 4-foot long 1x12s)Hardware2 ½ to 3-inch outdoor wood screws or decking screws1-inch or 1-1/4" wide head cabinet screws12 Fence rail bracketsOther30 feet 4-foot tall 1/2" hardware clothOptional: 4 flat corner braces (one for each wall) for added stabilityOptional: 4-foot steel tube gates‚ one for the front of each bay InstructionsStep 1: Select and Prep SiteChoose a location that is fairly level‚ preferably near the garden (if you have one). Sun or shade is fine. Sun = speeds up decomposition but will dry out more. Shade = will stay more moist but break down slower. Leave the bottom of the compost pile open to the native soil below. Remove any debris and level the ground some if needed.Step 2: Measure and Cut WoodCorners: Cut the four 8-foot 4x4s in half‚ to create eight 4-foot long corner pieces. Walls: Cut six 8-foot 2×6" boards at 51.5 inches‚ which will create six 51.5" boards fo for the exterior walls‚ and leave size 44.5" boards for the interior walls (since 51..5+44/5 = 96 inches or eight feet). Back: Leave three 8-foot 2x6s for the back‚ and cut two 2×6 boards at 48" to get the additional three 4-foot boards you'll need to finish the 12-foot long back. OR‚ simply use three solid 12-foot long 2×6 boards. Front wall slats: Cut three 8-foot 2x4s in half to create the "tracks" for the face boards‚ but WAIT to measure and cut the 1×12" removable face boards until after the compost bin is fully assembled. Step 3: Assemble Exterior WallsLay two four-foot 4x4s parallel on a flat work surface‚ then place three 51.5" 2x6s on top in the opposite direction: one across the top‚ one at the bottom‚ and one halfway in the middle. Keeping everything square and the ends of the 2×6 boards flush with the side of the 4x4s‚ add two long decking screws to each of each 2×6 to secure in place. Repeat for the second exterior wall.Step 4: Add Back to Exterior WallsStand the end walls up in place where the compost bin will go‚ with the 2x6s on the outside and 4x4s facing inward. Connect the two exterior walls using either three horizontal 12-foot 2x6s‚ or a combination of three 8-foot boards plus three 4-foot boards‚ connected with a 4×4 in the center. Keep the back boards flush with the 4×4 corners. Try to keep everything square and level as you go. Step 5: Build and Add Interior WallsAdd two interior walls‚ spaced approximately 4 feet apart in the center of the bin. You can assemble them separately (like we did the exterior walls) then connect them to the backside of the frame‚ OR built then in-place onto the back walls Using fence rail brackets‚ connect three 44.5" 2x6s sandwiched between two 4x4s (end to end) – one at the top of the 4×4‚ one at the bottom‚ and one spaced halfway in between. Screw the brackets onto the 4×4 first – centered‚ straight and level on the 4×4. Then slide the 2x6s into the brackets and add screws to secure them. Optional: skip ahead to Step 6 and add hardware cloth to the back and exterior walls first then continue with adding interior walls – as long as the hardware cloth won't impede the points of connection. Step 6: Add Hardware Cloth After building the compost bin frame‚ add mesh wire (hardware cloth) along the inside of the walls and back.Rather than wrapping an entire bay in hardware cloth at once‚ we found it was easiest to measure‚ cut‚ and attach the hardware cloth to each wall one-by-one. It's fine to overlap the hardware cloth onto the 4x4s along the back wall and corners‚ but keep it flush with the 4×4 on the front side so extra hardware cloth won’t block the slot where the removable front boards will go. See photos. Secure the hardware cloth to the wood using 1” cabinet screws‚ pinching a corner section of the wire mesh under the wide head of the screw. Add screws in several places Step 7: Removable Face BoardsFirst create the slots or “tracks” for the removable front boards to slide into. Do so by adding a vertical 4-foot 2×4 to the front inner walls of each bay (six total‚ 2 per bay). Use screws to secure each 2×4 vertically about 1 inch to 1.25 inches back from 4×4 at the front of each wall – enough space to easily slide the 1" face boards (real measurement 3/4") up and down in the track. Wait to cut the removable face boards until the compost bin and tracks are completely assembled! Measure and note the length of the front slot for each bay. We found that the width of our bays varied slightly‚ requiring us to cut custom boards of different lengths to fit each bay (3 per bay). When measuring and cutting the face boards‚ give yourself a little bit of wiggle room. Cut them long enough so they’ll stay tucked into the desired track‚ but not so long that they’ll be tight and difficult to get in and out. I chose to stain the pine front boards (outward facing side only) to help the light wood blend in better with the overall design.  Add face boards as needed as the compost piles grow taller Step 8: Optional Finishing TouchesTo give the walls added stability (for the donkeys)‚ we added an 8” flat corner brace to the top of each wall – or four total. We also installed lightweight 4-foot Behlen Country steel tube gates on the front of each bay – and installing the J-bolts straight out of the front of the 4×4. We also kept both J-bolts facing UP intentionally‚ so we could easily lift and take the gates completely off and on when needed. For added vermin and pest protection (if needed)‚ you could also build and attach a hinged lid on top of each bay‚ such as with wood and hardware cloth.  Did you enjoy this article? Want to hear more? Stay in touch! Sign up below to receive weekly updates on new posts from Homestead and Chill. The post How to Build a Compost Bin: Step-by-Step Guide with Photos appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Children’s Health Defense (CHD) earlier this week sued the Medical Board of California for continuing to threaten doctors with disciplinary action related to their stance on Covid‚ which the board treats as “misinformation.” The filing before the US District Court for the Eastern District of California explains that this is happening despite the fact that a law the board used to justify such actions is no longer enforced. We obtained a copy of the lawsuit for you here. Passed in 2022 and in the meantime repealed‚ the legislation‚ AB 2098‚ sought to accuse doctors – considered to be giving patients “false” Covid information – of unprofessional conduct. But AB 2098 ceased to be in effect on January 1‚ thanks to a clause in California Senate Bill SB 815. However‚ that doesn’t seem to have deterred the Medical Board from continuing to pursue its policy of intimidation based on the now repealed law‚ the filing alleges. Something obviously had to be done to handle the formal side of the newly-created legal situation – so now the board is investigating physicians and threatening disciplinary measures by accusing them of breaking “the general standard of care statute.” CHD sees AB 2098 as a way the authorities in California tried to meddle in the doctor-patient relationship. But also‚ it was a way to “manipulate what doctors can share with their patients‚ punishing doctors who ‘stray’ from the government’s narrative‚” as CHD Senior Counsel Kim Mack Rosenberg put it. And Rosenberg considers the lawsuit her organization filed on Tuesday to have fundamental importance since the end of the law did not spell the end of the state engaging in “overreach and intrusion on doctor-patient relationships.” One of CHD’s lawyers involved in the lawsuit‚ Richard Jaffe‚ told the press that last year‚ faced with pressure from the board and accused of spreading “misinformation” about Covid vaccines‚ one doctor lost her license – by agreeing to surrender it. One of the plaintiffs named in the filing‚ board-certified family practitioner Dr. Brian Tyson‚ said the lawsuit was a welcome development and a way to ensure “medical freedom” – i.e.‚ doctors being able to talk with their patients about important issues without fear of persecution. “It is important to be able to give patients full informed consent on everything we do – what are the true risks and benefits of vaccines‚ medicines and other treatment options‚” said Tyson. A key request that the plaintiffs put before the court is to declare that medical boards “do not have the First Amendment constitutional authority to investigate‚ prosecute or sanction physicians for providing such recommendations about COVID vaccines/boosters‚ or on or off-label FDA approved treatments for COVID‚ or for any other COVID-related subject.” The post CHD Sues California Over Efforts To Penalize Doctors for “Misinformation” appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The European Union (EU) has been known to waste a lot of money on wrong or even hopeless causes‚ and opponents of centralized digital money (CBDCs) must be hoping that the digital euro‚ which has just had €1.3 billion earmarked towards its development‚ will be one of those. In fact‚ in announcing the move EU’s European Central Bank (ECB) made sure to add the disclaimer that it is “not making a commitment to launch any of the development work listed.” But for the moment‚ ECB is pushing forward with its plans‚ and much earlier than observers expected – so much so that the announcement is viewed by some as a surprise. A total of five private sector partners will now receive huge contracts; in the past‚ Amazon was controversially involved in the e-commerce payments prototype. How a company that flaunted EU’s own data protection rules and was fined $887 million as recently as in 2021 found its way to becoming an EU “partner” on projects of this importance upset some members of the European Parliament. And they won’t be pleased to know that although not guaranteed to continue‚ Amazon might easily be selected this time as well. According to the ECB statement‚ the recipients of the money will be tasked not only with prototyping the CBDC‚ but also with developing a relevant app‚ offline payment schemes‚ and‚ “risk and fraud management.” This last “initiative” will receive €237 million‚ while the majority of the funds will go toward creating offline payments – €662 million. Regardless of how much criticism CBDCs are receiving‚ particularly in relation to being a power grab‚ supporters appear convinced that the digital euro would improve the bloc’s financial infrastructure. And it looks like the EU would like to keep the money “in the Big Money family”: Etonec COO and Digital Euro Association chairman Jonas Gross thinks those most likely to get the contracts are “established CBDC tech providers with offline capabilities‚” Big Tech‚ global financial consultancies‚ and‚ “smaller” (but also‚ “larger”) software firms. Privacy violations concerns‚ and general usefulness of CBDC in terms of becoming viable competition to other kinds of digital payments remain recurring arguments offered by opponents. The post EU Steams Ahead With Controversial‚ Centrally-Controlled Digital Euro appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Judicial Watch has announced that it is suing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)‚ after this federal agency ignored the group’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Judicial Watch had asked for all information that Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)‚ which is a part of DHS‚ has compiled regarding the nonprofit and its president‚ Tom Fitton. We obtained a copy of the lawsuit for you here. The deadline to submit these records‚ under FOIA rules‚ was October 11. The controversy now includes the (subsequent to the request) public revelation that Fitton was named as one of the “censorship targets” of a network known as the Election Integrity Partnership (EIP). In early November‚ the House Judiciary Committee confirmed suspicions about what was going on behind the scenes‚ stating in a report that CISA‚ together with the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC)‚ Stanford University‚ and others‚ had formed EIP – with the goal of censoring speech ahead of the hotly contested 2020 election. All major social platforms‚ including Google‚ Facebook‚ TikTok‚ Reddit‚ and Twitter were to be pressured to censor what the government agencies and their allies in academia decided to brand as disinformation. This is not the first time Judicial Watch is turning to the courts to try to reveal the mechanisms of censorship implemented online‚ and the links tying government agencies to those acts‚ that‚ if proven to be true‚ would be unconstitutional. DHS is among those already sued for records on several occasions over the past year‚ as was the FBI‚ the Secretary of State of the State of California‚ the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)‚ and the Department of Justice. The recurring theme here are the attempts to suppress speech related to elections as “disinformation‚” and instances of collusion between the authorities and privately-owned social media companies. Speaking about the latest revelations and the lawsuit‚ and the fact that his organization and himself have been repeatedly targeted by the government and its Big Tech allies‚ Tom Fitton said‚ “That we had to file a federal lawsuit to get basic information about this targeting is another sure sign that CISA has been up to no good.” The nonprofit’s other efforts to shed light on some of the most controversial issues in the US over the past years include records showing that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Facebook “coordinated closely.” “Judicial Watch has produced a four-part documentary‚ ‘Censored and Controlled’‚ that details the coordinated effort by the FBI and other government agencies and Big Tech to censor and suppress information on topics such as Hunter Biden’s laptop‚ Covid-19‚ and election debates‚” the group said in a statement. The post Judicial Watch Sues Biden DHS for Records Targeting Judicial Watch and Its President Tom Fitton appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The Biden administration doesn’t seem quite certain how to do it – but it would clearly like to see AI watermarking implemented as soon as possible‚ despite the idea being marred by many misgivings. And‚ even despite what some reports admit is a lack of consensus on “what digital watermark is.” Standards and enforcement regulation are also missing. As has become customary‚ where the government is constrained or insufficiently competent‚ it effectively enlists private companies. Related: Microsoft President Wants It To Be Illegal To Remove AI Watermark Microsoft And Others Are Developing With the standards problem‚ these seem to none other than tech dinosaur Adobe‚ and China’s TikTok. It’s hardly a conspiracy theory to think the push mostly has to do with the US presidential election later this year‚ as watermarking of this kind can be “converted” from its original stated purpose – into a speech-suppression tool. The publicly presented argument in favor is obviously not quite that‚ although one can read between the lines. Namely – AI watermarking is promoted as a “key component” in combating misinformation‚ deepfakes included. And this is where perfectly legal and legitimate genres like parody and memes could suffer from AI watermarking-facilitated censorship. Spearheading the drive‚ such as it is‚ is Biden’s National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee and now one of its members‚ Carnegie Mellon University’s Ramayya Krishnan‚ admits there are “enforcement issues” – but is still enthusiastic about the possibility of using technology that “labels how content was made.” From the Committee’s point of view‚ a companion AI tool would be a cherry on top. However‚ there’s still no actual cake. Different companies are developing watermarking which can be put in three categories: visible‚ invisible (i.e.‚ visible only to algorithms)‚ and based on cryptographic metadata. And while supporters continue to tout watermarking as a great way to detect and remove “misinformation‚” experts are at the same time pointing out that “bad actors‚” who are their own brand of experts‚ can easily remove watermarks – or‚ adding another layer to the complication of fighting “misinformation” windmills – create watermarks of their own. At the same time‚ insisting that manipulated content is somehow a new phenomenon that needs to be tackled with special tools is a fallacy. Photoshopped images‚ visual effects‚ and parody‚ to name but a few‚ have been around for a long time. The post AI Watermarking Is Advocated by Biden’s Advisory Committee Member‚ Raising Concerns for Parody and Memes appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Sign Up To Keep Reading This post is for Reclaim The Net supporters. Gain access to the entire archive of features and supporters-only content. Help protect free speech‚ freedom from surveillance‚ and digital civil liberties. Join Already a supporter? Login here The post Rock Legend Brian May’s Criticism of YouTube Highlights a Major Censorship Mechanism appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Note to Self: 'Flying Canadian Blades' Is Not a Hockey Team‚ But Do Wear a Helmet