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by Martin Armstrong, Armstrong Economics: The globalists condemned Italy’s Giorgia Meloni for promising to curb immigration if elected. As with Donald Trump, she was called a racist for wanting to secure her nation’s borders. Italy was facing an all-out invasion by land and sea under relaxed European Union edicts that permitted open borders. Now, under […]

  In today’s politically polarized world, the term “fake news” is relatively common. Many voters believe that some media outlets blatantly exaggerate, selectively report, or even outright lie in their journalism. How do media outlets engage in this biased reporting? Is modern technology helping reduce media bias, or can it make it worse? Are there any reasonable ways for voters to detect reporting that may be biased, exaggerated, incomplete, or even fraudulent? Finally, are media consumers themselves contributing to the problem? If so, how? Read on to explore the challenge of “fake news” in modern elections, how the trend arose, and what can be done about it.   Setting the Stage: Partisan and Penny Newspapers An image illustrating the rise of partisan news, which was one of the earliest types of newspapers in the United States. Source: Columbia Journalism Review   Although we tend to think of “fake news” as a modern problem, the dilemma of biased news—sometimes ranging into the truly fraudulent—has been around for generations. Mass news consumption began in the 1830s when literacy began to increase, and technology allowed for cheaper printing of penny newspapers. These competed with newspapers printed by political parties, making them outright partisan by design. Both types of papers focused on increasing sales by printing the kind of news their customers wanted, meaning journalistic ethics were usually considered less important than sensationalism.   Penny newspapers quickly included editorials, or opinion articles, that were sometimes criticized as libelous. By the 1840s, penny newspapers had become dominant in big cities, where they could survive from advertising revenue rather than being subsidized by political parties. Partisan newspapers were more common in towns and rural areas. Though technology improved through the 1840s and 1850s, allowing rapid newspaper printing, papers remained relatively partisan and sensational, particularly regarding the Mexican-American War.   Gilded Age and Progressive Era: Yellow Journalism An image representing yellow journalism, which was prevalent during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era (late 1860s-1920). Source: PBS Learning Media   While partisan presses declined after the American Civil War (1861-65), and penny newspapers became larger and more robust due to increased news consumption, media bias continued. The development of prominent, powerful newspapers led to their ability to shape the news rather than simply report it. This era of yellow journalism saw wealthy newspaper magnates try to spark newsworthy events in order to report on them…and sell more papers. Famously, the Spanish-American War is alleged to have been heavily influenced by a feud between publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.   The Progressive Era was bolstered by yellow journalism through exposés on corruption, fraud, and terrible workplace conditions. Although the news was still highly sensational and often biased, it was now exposing genuine problems in society. Muckrakers opened public debate about urban slums, the terrible conditions in factories, and political corruption. This led to legislation and political reforms that improved the lives of millions.   This raises an ethical debate: is it acceptable for journalists to be biased if they are pursuing the greater good?   World Wars: Government Restrictions on Media An American poster during World War II (1941-45) indicating that careless talk could benefit the enemy and endanger US troops. Source: Tennessee State Library & Archives   In April 1917, the United States entered World War I against imperial Germany. Bias against Germany had grown since 1914: Britain had reaped all positive wartime news coverage in the United States by destroying Germany’s transatlantic cable, meaning American newspapers relied on British sources. Similar to previous wars like the Spanish-American War and the Mexican-American War, newspaper editors and journalists had differing opinions on the issue. When the war was declared, the government quickly asked newspapers to voluntarily censor their news to be pro-war and deny the enemy any potential information on US troops’ movements and munitions.   Later, this voluntary censorship would become mandated by law thanks to the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918. Both World War I and World War II saw the creation of government agencies to oversee news broadcasts. Most journalists saw themselves as part of a patriotic war effort and voluntarily focused on stories that would boost morale. Only in September 1943 did war reporting become more honest about the tough conditions and brutal casualties suffered by US troops after US President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the approval for the famous Buna Beach photograph to be printed.   Vietnam War Era: Media Breaks With Government US President John F. Kennedy (far left) speaking in Texas in November 1963 as Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson (far right) looks on. Source: University of Texas at Arlington   While the government allowed the media to increase its ability to print and air news that revealed American struggles during the second half of World War II, the prevailing journalistic culture still limited open and honest reporting about personal issues. Famously, the media largely ignored the extramarital affairs of US President John F. Kennedy, who himself was fond of the media and became the first TV-savvy chief executive. Some criticize the media of the early 1960s as a “boys’ club” that spared JFK’s public image. Common knowledge of JFK’s affairs did not emerge until after his tragic assassination in November 1963.   JFK’s successor, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, quickly dealt with a more hostile relationship with the media due to his escalating war in Vietnam. As US casualties mounted, the media became less accepting of reports from the Johnson administration that the war was almost won. In 1968, the mainstream media largely broke with the administration in the aftermath of the surprise Tet Offensive in Vietnam. From then on, the relationship between the media and the government has been far less supportive—for good and ill. It has meant more honest media reporting of government actions, but perhaps also the tendency for the media to seek out negative viewpoints of such actions.   Rise of Cable TV and Increase in Media Bias Ted Turner announcing the creation of the Cable News Network, or CNN, on June 1, 1980 to launch the cable news movement. Source: Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)   Up through the 1970s, the American public had few national news sources. Network TV consisted of three networks: NBC, ABC, and CBS. This era was considered to be more fair and unbiased in terms of reporting, as networks did not have to actively seek out new consumers by resorting to sensationalism or bias. Rather, viewers liked news anchors they felt they could trust to be honest. In the 1970s, however, relaxed reforms by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened the doors for cable news.   In 1980, Ted Turner unveiled his Cable News Network (CNN). It was the nation’s first 24-hour news channel, and the focus was shifted from anchors who explained the news to video coverage of news events themselves. Viewers liked the sense of urgency the video coverage created.   CNN became known as a top source of breaking news after being the only news channel covering the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster live. As cable news options became more common in the late 1980s and 1990s, they began competing for viewers with tailored (some would say biased) news coverage styles.   Internet Creates 24-Hour (Biased) News Cycle A graphic revealing that most young people get their news from the Internet, rather than TV or radio, as of 2020. Source: Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA)   Cable news began the 24-hour news cycle, but the Internet truly locked it in place. With the advent of smartphones, consumers could get news from any desired source in any location with WiFi or a cell signal. With cable TV, one’s desired news source may not be available all the time. Internet news, available to virtually anyone, increased the competition to attract viewers even further. Thus, many news sites began developing their own styles, which allegedly led to biased reporting. Viewers would return to sites that presented information in a style, format, and delivery manner that appealed to them, allowing the site to raise advertising revenue.   It is now common for laypersons and academics alike to believe that many, if not most, news sources have a political bias in one direction or another. This is seen as necessary to retain loyal viewers, who provide the Internet traffic needed to justify charging ad revenue. Media bias in Internet reporting may be influenced by highly partisan “super users” who frequent Internet news sites regularly. This small percentage of consumers drives a large amount of website traffic, giving a skewed perception of what the general public wants. Both liberal and conservative media bias, therefore, is likely driven by news junkies on both ends of the political spectrum.   Social Media and the Rise of Fake News A graphic revealing that it is easy for people to share “fake news” via social media sites using their smartphones. Source: Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST)   While media bias is considered a problem, it is difficult to combat due to the protections of the First Amendment. Despite the rigors of journalistic ethics, media outlets are mostly privately owned, profit-seeking firms. They must appeal to consumers who want certain “flavors” of reporting. Sometimes, however, media outlets allegedly go further than providing a “flavor” of reporting and cross the line from bias into fraud. This occurs when a media outlet reports something that is untrue. Sometimes this is inadvertent and may occur when a story is rushed, and there is little time to confirm or fact-check information given by sources. As part of competition for viewers, media outlets may rush to break stories without confirming information, leading to “fake news.”   With social media, users can easily share Internet news articles and attempt to inform or persuade thousands of fellow citizens. While many share genuine news articles, some may use editing software to create fake images, or even entire fake news articles, that look almost identical to real news sources. Recently, new technology like artificial intelligence (AI) software has expanded this fake news to audio and video clips (known as deepfakes) as well. Social media users may, therefore, see “fake news” articles and videos and believe incorrect things about a political candidate or officeholder.   Blurred Lines: News vs. Commentary A graphic explaining that news reports the facts while commentary reports on contributors’ opinions, which sometimes confuses consumers. Source: City College of New York (CCNY)   Even when news is not fake, it may not be news in the first place. Many Internet news sites and cable news outlets mix commentary and editorials with actual news. For example, an editorial may be posted next to a news article on an Internet news site and look similar, or a commentary show may be run on a news network right after a reporting news segment. Because some commentary and news look similar, viewers can be easily confused. They may then view it as more truthful when they read or hear commentary that a political candidate is terrible or a radical, falsely equating such opinions with factual news. Unfortunately, many Americans actually seek out the commentary and only get (biased) news through that lens.   An image of newspapers with “fake” written over articles in red, indicating the growing prevalence of fake news. Source: NPR   Sometimes, commentary uses satire or extreme exaggeration—usually for humorous purposes—to illustrate the errors of the opposing side. This can confuse viewers because satire is intentionally made to appear legitimate; viewers only realize the ruse by the extreme nature of the content.   Additionally, journalists mix commentary and news when they interject their own opinions into their reporting, which can likely occur more easily during live TV or radio reporting. This would be biased reporting rather than “fake news,” but the two terms are largely seen as synonymous today. Fortunately, many journalists and viewers are aware of the troubling mix between commentary and news and want more to be done to clearly keep them separate.   Making It Worse: Living in “The Bubble” A graphic explaining that filters on social media platforms create bubbles of similar content, including news, that isolate users from other viewpoints. Source: GCF Global Digital Media Literacy   The rise of Internet news made it possible for most Americans to only get news from the few sources they liked best. Social media filters enabled them to block all other news sources, creating “the bubble” of news isolation. Critics argue that the use of social media filters creates amplifying “echo chambers” that increase people’s political polarization over time. By only seeing content that fits their existing viewpoint, consumers come to identify more intensely with that viewpoint and reject all others.   Essentially, liberal users of social media set their filters only to see liberal news and commentary, becoming more liberal over time and rejecting conservative—or even moderate—views. Similarly, conservative users see only conservative news and commentary, becoming more conservative over time and rejecting any other views. This has allegedly led to increased political polarization in the United States since the mid-2000s. Some disagree with this viewpoint and argue that the polarization is driven by a desire to argue with those of other viewpoints…which is enabled by comment features on social media.   How to Find Non-Fake News A poster to help viewers determine which sources of news are reliable and not fake news. Source: Volunteer State Community College   So, are voters trying to make rational decisions simply at the mercy of biased news outlets, commentary masquerading as news, and savvily made fake news? Fortunately, the government and educators are trying to help consumers identify genuine, unbiased news sources. In today’s classrooms, middle and high school students are often given lessons on the dangers of unwary use of social media, including fake news. Students are taught common signs that a news article is fake, ranging from poor spelling and grammar to incorrect dates to unknown or unreliable sources.   Consumers who want the news should seek it directly from the source rather than accepting it from others’ social media posts. Government officials and political candidates also maintain their own websites and press releases, allowing voters to explore for themselves. Academic and educational websites are good sources of information about a candidate’s biography and background. Of course, consumers should always double-check any piece of news information they find suspicious with a source known to be reliable!

  Since 1936, the year it was completed, the Hoover Dam, a monumental feat of American engineering, helped tame the Colorado River and reshape the landscape of the American Southwest. Perched on the border of Arizona and Nevada, it is far more than a hydroelectric dam. The Hoover Dam is actually an innovation symbol and a testament to resilience during the Great Depression era. However, many don’t know that the Hoover Dam’s story is filled with fascinating trivia and surprising twists. We will share with you below ten facts you didn’t know about this engineering marvel that captured imaginations for nearly a century.   1. Nazis Planned to Blow It Up During World War II Hoover Dam, Spanning the Colorado River at Route 93, Boulder City, Clark County, NV. Source: Boudewijn Huijgens Archive   This was in November 1939, before the U.S. became involved officially in WWII when officials uncovered a Nazi plot to sabotage the Hoover Dam. They saw the potential value of damaging and disrupting such a key American asset. The Nazis knew that the Hoover Dam powered the growing airplane manufacturing industry in Southern California. This industry was vital, after all, to the war effort.   The U.S. government took key security measures to counter these Nazi threats by increasing surveillance and patrols around the Hoover Dam. Authorities also planned to camouflage the dam to make it less visible from the air. Also, anti-aircraft guns were stationed in the area. On top of that, they heavily restricted access to the Hoover Dam. For example, boats were forbidden from coming too close, and roads leading to the dam were heavily guarded.   Gladly, the Nazis never succeeded in attacking the dam directly. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 and the U.S. entering the war, the dam was completely closed to visitors until 1945, the year the war ended.   2. More Than 100 Workers Died During the Construction of the Dam Memorial Plaque honoring Hoover Dam workers who died during construction. Source: Picryl   The construction of the Hoover Dam took place between 1931 and 1936, and during these years, 96 deaths of workers were officially recorded. This was the result of various industrial accidents, such as falls, equipment malfunctions, and machinery incidents.   However, this figure is contested as it does not include unrecorded or indirect fatalities. For example, 42 workers were reported to have died later because of conditions like heatstrokes or carbon monoxide poisoning.   The tragic aspect of the construction of the Hoover Dam can be found in the first and last recorded deaths. The first worker who died was surveyor J.G. Tierney. He had drowned on December 20, 1922, in the Colorado River. The last recorded death was of his son, Patrick Tierney, who died exactly 13 years later, on December 20, 1935, during the final stages of construction.   3. The Original Name of the Hoover Dam Was Actually Boulder Dam Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the U.S. Source: Picryl   During its early planning and construction stages, the Hoover Dam was originally known as the Boulder Dam. Its name was derived from Boulder Canyon, which was one of the proposed sites for the construction. Despite the fact that the Hoover Dam was built in Black Canyon, the name Boulder Dam stuck.   During the construction of the dam in 1930, Ray Wilbur, Secretary of the Interior, declared that the dam would be named in honor of Herbert Hoover. The latter was the sitting president at the time, and he pushed for the approval of the dam when he served as Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s.   In 1932, Hoover lost the presidential election. His successor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, refused to support the name. That’s why, in 1933, the Roosevelt administration renamed the dam officially as “Boulder Dam.” Fast forward to 1947, and this was when Congress passed a resolution to rename it all over again as “Hoover Dam” to honor Herbert Hoover’s contributions to the project.   4. The Hoover Dam Builders Entertained Themselves and Onlookers Hoover Dam construction workers employed as high-scalers. Source: Picryl   It’s true that the builders of the Hoover Dam worked under grueling conditions. However, they were so creative when it came to entertaining both themselves and onlookers. Many people came to watch such a massive construction project. For example, the “high scalers,” or workers who dangled themselves from ropes on the canyon walls to clear loose rock and prepare the surface for construction, were the most entertaining to onlookers due to their daring stunts.   Some of these high scalers performed aerobatic tricks to lighten the mood and pass the time. They also used to engage in playful banter while suspended hundreds of feet in the air in a bid to entertain onlookers. They even sometimes pretended to fall while swinging from their ropes. Flipping in midair was also one of the entertaining stunts they pulled. More so, some high scalers would even use their tools, like jackhammers, as makeshift drum sets, which was also entertaining to both workers and visitors.   5. It Was the World’s Tallest Dam Aerial view of the Hoover Dam. Source: Picryl   In 1936, when the Hoover Dam was completed, it was standing at 726 feet, making it the tallest dam on Earth. Considering the challenges in terms of logistics and engineering when it comes to building such a colossal structure in the difficult conditions of the Black Canyon on the Colorado River, achieving this record-breaking height was a massive accomplishment for its time.   However, the height of the dam did not only serve as a symbol of American ingenuity. It had a much more important purpose, and it was to control the flow of the Colorado River. This allowed the dam to provide irrigation water to the surrounding areas, and to also generate hydroelectric power. The massive size of the dam also permitted it to store a vast amount of water in Lake Mead. The latter is the largest man-made reservoir in the U.S.   The Hoover Dam remained the world’s tallest dam for many years until it was surpassed in 1968 by Northern California’s Oroville Dam, which is 770-foot-high. Today, it is the second-tallest in the U.S., while the Jinping-I Dam in Liangshan, Sichuan, China, is the tallest dam in the world, at 1,001-foot-high. The latter became operational in 2013.   6. Boulder City Was Built Specifically for Hoover Dam Workers Boulder City with view of Lake Mead. Source: Wikimedia Commons   In the early 1930s, no nearby infrastructure was capable of supporting the thousands of workers involved in the construction of the dam. This is why the U.S. government built Boulder City, a fully planned community with the only purpose of housing and providing for the dam workers and their families. Boulder City was located just a few miles from the construction site in the Nevada desert.   The city was designed to be a model town with homes, schools, stores, as well as recreation facilities. It had a capacity to house 5,000 workers at its peak. There was a strict code of conduct applied at Boulder City, such as a ban on alcohol and gambling. The objective behind such measures was to maintain order and productivity among the dam workers. While the living quarters inside the city were basic, they were also comfortable. This helped keep workers relatively happy and healthy despite the harsh and difficult working conditions.   After nearly three decades, the federal government transferred control of Boulder City. 1960 was when it was officially incorporated as a city.   7. It Led to the Creation of America’s Largest Reservoir Lake Mead near Las Vegas. Source: Flickr   When the Hoover Dam was constructed, it led to the creation of the United States’ largest reservoir, Lake Mead. The latter was formed by blocking the Colorado River and is located along the border between Arizona and Nevada. Lake Mead is a critical water storage facility for the Southwestern U.S., and at maximum capacity, it can hold over 26 million acre-feet of water. This can cover 247 square miles.   Millions of people in California, Arizona, and Nevada rely on Lake Mead as a source of water thanks to its vast capacity and size. It supplies hydroelectric power through the generators of the Hoover Dam. It also supports irrigation for agriculture, which provides drinking water for several cities, including Las Vegas.   The massive water volume of the lake also maintains the Colorado River’s flow to downstream communities. However, it’s worth noting that the water levels of Lake Mead have been steadily declining. This is due to increased water demand and prolonged drought.   8. It Was Constructed to Tame the Wild Colorado River Southern Pacific train crosses flooded trestle during Colorado River Flood, 1906. Source: Flickr   The primary objective behind building the dam was to control the often destructive floods of the Colorado River. The latter was famous for its unpredictability, causing devastating floods that wiped out towns, crops, and infrastructure in California, Arizona, and Nevada.   Managing the Colorado River became an urgent priority for the government in the early 20th century. This was when settlers expanded westward. The Imperial Valley in California suffered devastating floods in the early 1900s. This happened particularly during the infamous 1905 flood that resulted in the creation of the Salton Sea. Events like these reminded authorities about the need for a massive flood-control project. This was when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation proposed building a dam that would help regulate the river’s flow in a bid to prevent flooding and, at the same time, store water for irrigation and generate hydroelectric power.   After being approved in 1928 and started in 1931, the Hoover Dam tamed the Colorado River and transformed the arid Southwest into a stable region for settlement and agriculture.   9. The Hoover Dam Required Around 4.5 Million Cubic Yards of Concrete to Build Concrete placed in Hoover Dam’s Nevada spillway during construction. Source: Picryl   Massive resources were invested in the construction of the Hoover Dam. In total, it required 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete, which is enough to pave a two-lane highway from San Fran to NYC, in addition to 1.11 million cubic yards for the power plant and surrounding structures to build the Hoover Dam. The price tag of the project stood at $49 million at the time, which is equivalent today to around $890 million when adjusted for inflation.   Innovative techniques were employed by engineers to handle the vast amounts of concrete. For example, to prevent cracking, they were pouring concrete into massive blocks while using an intricate network of pipes through which cold water was circulated, which allowed to rapidly cool the concrete. This permitted the construction workers to finish constructing the dam in just five years. This was two years ahead of schedule.   10. It Caused Around 600 Seismic Events Bird’s eye view of the Hoover Dam. Source: Pick Pik   During its early years of operation, and despite the fact that the Hoover Dam was built to control the Colorado River, it ended up triggering several earthquakes in the region. From 1935 to 1941, when the dam and Lake Mead were filling for the first time, more than 600 small earthquakes were recorded. When the massive weight of the water in a reservoir that is newly formed puts pressure on faults in the crust of the Earth, it triggers a phenomenon known as reservoir-induced seismicity.   In 1939, a 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck in the area. It was the largest of the earthquakes induced due to the Hoover Dam. Tremors took place mainly around the reservoir, while the frequency of the earthquakes decreased gradually as Lake Mead reached full capacity.   Scientists tend to believe that the sudden change in pressure, caused by the filling of millions of gallons of water, caused the reactivation of ancient faults in the area that had been dormant for centuries.

  The 1920s was a pivotal moment in American history, when a dramatic series of societal changes took place in the wake of World War I. From prohibition and illegal speakeasies, to a roaring stock market, thriving party scenes, jazz clubs, and the redefining of social norms, we take a closer look at the definitive moments of what became known as the Roaring Twenties.   Prohibition and Profit Inside a speakeasy in New York City by Margaret Bourke-White, 1933. Source: LIFE Magazine   What helped the Roaring 1920s to occur resulted from the January 1919 enactment of Prohibition. All alcohol sales and manufacturing starting in 1920, instantly became “prohibited.” This ban fueled smuggling, gang wars, and murder for years. The demand for alcohol only grew as people flocked to speakeasies or illegal bars.    Profiteering from Prohibition created larger-than-life gangsters like Al Capone and Mad Dog Collins. Capone ruled Chicago for most of the 1920s with politicians and even cops on his payroll, and only the FBI’s tax evasion charges ended his reign. By the late 1920s, the limitations of Prohibition became evident, as people nationwide simply ignored and profited from it.   The Roaring Market Chicago Stock Exchange 1920. Source: Internet Vibes   Besides alcohol, the booming stock market also characterized the Twenties, expanding fast as many investors figured this as a real deal and never ending. Stock prices reached dizzying heights as investors bought stocks on margin or borrowed money. Some industries, like electric utilities, started to spread nationwide, drawing many investors.   Speculation, or a short-term buying of stocks hoping to make great gains but with risk, was a popular investing method. 1920s boom investors only paid attention to the stock price or payout, not the company’s details or even its worth. People poured their hard-earned money into such get-rich scams. Swindlers preyed on peoples’ hopes about non-existent companies or land plots that were genuinely worthless, and so on. The term “Ponzi Scheme” came from a fraudster named Ponzi, who paid profits to early investors from new investors based on selling international stamp exchange rates.   The stock market prices only climbed as the Roaring Twenties but crashed in early 1929. Simply put, investors either lost their money or suddenly needed to pay back loans taken out to buy stock.   Redefined Social Norms Flappers atop Chicago’s Sherman Hotel. Source: The Smithsonian Magazine   No discussion about the Roaring Twenties can be told without discussing the decade’s most iconic image: the flapper. Flappers, typically young women, broke taboos by drinking, smoking, and using bad words. With their bobbed hair, short skirts, and heavy makeup, they danced to jazz in the speakeasies. Not all women became flappers, but many dressed in their fashions. Topped off with illegal drinking, they represented a rebellious time.    Very importantly, in the 1920s, women got the right to vote. In 1919, Congress ratified the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting those rights. Coincidentally, this law took effect in 1920 when the Roaring Twenties started. With this new freedom, women also worked more outside the home.   Post-Great War Prosperity Studebaker Ad 1920s. Source: Deviant Art   Though the Roaring Twenties ended abruptly, the years between saw the American economic engine rev into overdrive. This economy produced half of the world’s industrial output, fueled by Great War destruction in Europe. By 1929 this led to a staggering 42% increase in economic growth.   Also, electricity transformed life by making mundane tasks easier and improving living standards. With electricity powering homes, devices like vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and lamps removed drudgery from people’s lives. Also, these “devices” were made in factories with electricity and were mass-produced, so what a person bought in Boston could be purchased in Galveston.    The automobile came of age in the 1920s, not only for its economic impact by large numbers purchased but by the freedom it gave. As mass production pushed by Henry Ford drove costs down, more cars got sold. Cars altered society like electricity did by creating leisure time.   Cars, much cheaper now than ever with models like the Model T, allowed mobility and freedom. Travel and vacation by car were now within reach of the working class, which encouraged the construction of roads as a secondary effect.    All that Jazz Jazz musician and orchestra conductor Duke Ellington playing piano with other jazz musicians. Source: Columbia Alumni Association   Like flappers, jazz music is integral to the Roaring Twenties’ image of dancing people, raucous music, and smoke-filled speakeasies. The Harlem Renaissance was a pivotal moment when African American musicians took center stage, creating and performing some of the most influential music of all time. Jazz grew up in the Roaring Twenties, played in clubs, and later spread to the wider public through radio broadcasts.   With its lively rhythms and improvisation, jazz gained acceptance through records, allowing people to hear the same music and reach a larger audience. Jazz meant rebellion against the older generations, especially women, and against Prohibition. Women now smoked, spoke their minds, and enjoyed city nightlife, and African Americans experiences a newfound creative freedom through music. Jazz denoted exuberance in a time of opulence, which was sadly not to last   The Roaring Twenties can’t be defined by one factor but by several. These factors came together at the right time to uplift America after a dreadful war, letting people focus on what made them feel good.

  Wales is a unique country with a complex history that has been shaped by centuries of conflict, religion, and cultural assimilation. What defines Welsh culture is its language and its rich and detailed history. An important facet of this history are the Druids. So, who were the Druids and why are they considered such an integral part of Wales?   Where Did the Druidic Culture Come From? Druids of Ole England, Joseph Martin Kronheim, 1868. Source: Istock   Historians have long debated the origins of the Druids. Some believed that the Druids originated from parts of Europe or, according to some others, from Egypt or even Mesopotamia. Some claimed that Druidism originated in ancient Egypt by the scholar Ptah as an offshoot of Egyptian polytheism, later to be extracted as teachings by Moses upon his pilgrimage to Egypt. More famously, Julius Caesar stated the Druids originated from the British Isles, with numbers mostly abundant in what is now called Wales.   During the Renaissance, interest in Druidism grew. Descriptions saw them draped in white robes adorned with animalistic trophies and jewelry. They were known to worship nature, with oak trees and mistletoe being a particularly important aspect of their belief.   Over the years, the Druids became synonymous with Wales and Welsh culture, with the isle of Anglesey being a place of particular Druid influence and interest. Modern Welsh culture can trace its origins in the legend and mythology that stems from such works as the Mabinogion, which contains stories in prose compiled between the 12th and 13th century.   To understand the importance of the pre-Christian religion in Wales and its influence on modern-day Welsh cultural heritage, it’s prudent to look further into Wales’s most prestigious, largest, and culturally significant event, the National Eisteddfod.   The National Eisteddfod The Druid Influence Ritual At The National Welsh Eisteddfod, 2019. Source: Gorsedd Ynys Witrin   The origin of the Eisteddfod dates back to 1176 when Lord Rhys invited a host of Welsh artists, poets, and musicians to his castle at Cardigan for what he called a celebration of the Welsh. The best poet and musician at the gathering were awarded a seat at the grand table, where the Eisteddfod’s most notable prize originated: the grand chair.   The name Eisteddfod is a literal translation from eistedd (to sit) and fod (to be). The Eisteddfod is at the pinnacle of Welsh celebration; it’s a festival that acknowledges the ancient roots of the people, its cultural origins, and a celebration of the language, the hardships endured by the country, and its musical and poetic prowess on the world stage. It has incorporated facets of Druidic ceremony and ritual into its events over the years.   The Logan stone at Llangollen North Wales. Source: Hanes Llangollen History Library   The first and most notable Druidic-influenced and adapted ceremony is that of the Gorsedd. It was conjured up in the 1700’s by Iolo Morganwg. His devoted passion for Welsh literature and song, coupled with his eccentric interest in Wales’s colorful and eclectic history, gave him the inspiration to create and include the Gorsedd ritual in future Eisteddfods. The ritual consists of a flat stone surrounded by a circle of bards and minstrels. Upon the stone stands the archdruid, draped in white and adorned with a crown. The rest of the ritual includes the carrying of the grand sword. The flat stones, called Logan stones, are dotted around any village or town that has played host to an Eisteddfod in the past. They can be found in fields or near the center of most major Welsh towns, cities, and villages.   The Archdruid and the Flower Dance The Morwyn A Fro And The Flower Dance, 2016. Source: Abergavenny Eisteddfod   Other notable Druidic influences on the Eisteddfod come in the form of the Archdruid and the popular flower dance. The Archdruid is elected to lead the Gorsedd for a term of three years. The selection is made from a group of notable and influential elders who have made a contribution to the festival and culture. The leader is adorned in a grand robe, a golden sash, and a crown depicting leaves and oak, all significantly Druidic.   The Eisteddfod has a hierarchy of sorts, distinguished by the color of the garb. White robes are selected for previous winners and those who have previously held the chair. The green robes are for those who hold specialized degrees associated with Welsh culture and the arts, and have made a significant contribution to Welsh culture. Blue robes are for those who have contributed to fields such as law and science, and have helped within their local communities.   The flower dance is a notable and popular tradition at the festival. It is performed by young women who are selected from the local area. They are tasked with picking flowers and arranging them into a bouquet, which is then given to the Morwyn a fro, a woman who holds the grand floral bouquet representing the wilderness of Wales and is presented to the archdruid during the main section of the ceremony. Before the Archdruid appears, a horn is blown by the Mam y fro (local mother). She is distinguished by her red cloak and golden crown. These traditions and rituals have been a staple of the Eisteddfod for hundreds of years and represent Wales’s Druidic roots. However, it is not only at the Eisteddfod festival that Wales has been influenced and shaped by its Druidic roots.   Mystical Islands and Sacred Groves Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Mound On Anglesey, Jennifer Bailey, 2018. Source: Pixiejen   There are a number of Druidic sites dotted around Wales, but none are better documented and as notable as that of the Isle of Mona, now known as Anglesey. This small island at the very tip of north Wales played host to the Druidic stronghold that was tentatively conquered by the invading Roman army. Tacitus documented that the island was home to a cannibalistic tribe that worshipped many gods. There are plenty of myths and legends about Anglesey, and they draw many tourists from around the world every year. It is said that every ancient oak tree there has a significant and sacred purpose because the Druids worshipped them. A small lake at the center of the island is said to have been a holy site for the Druids, and when it was dredged up in the 1940s, swords, shields, and Roman chariots were discovered.   The Hendy head. Source: Oriel Mon Museum Llangefni   At Holyhead Mountain, in the very north of the island, sits an ancient stone circle visited by modern druids and pagans on every solstice. The same can be said of the ancient burial mound Bryn Celli Dy, which hosts one of the largest Druidic gatherings outside of Stonehenge.   A few miles down the road is a site where sat the Hendy head; in a small secluded grove near a bubbling brook lies an ancient Iron Age sculpture believed to be used for ritual and sacrifice. The head has since been moved to the local museum. From the north of Anglesey over the sea to the rest of Wales there’s a barely distinguishable path called Pilgrims Way. This path stretches miles across the coast and on the way rests the Druids circle high atop the moors. This stone circle is believed to have been a significant site for human sacrifice.   The Druids of Wales and the Rest of the World Legendary Wales, Margaret Jones, 1988. Source: St Fagans Folk Museum   Notable authors, including Tolkien and George R.R. Martin, have used Wales’s complex and vast druidic history as inspiration for their works.   Books such as the Mabinogion have been important standards for fantasy writers over the years, with the tales and characters from Game of Thrones taking inspiration from certain stories in the Mabinogion. Tolkien created the Elvish language around Welsh and spoke about his love of the country and its history. Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carol used to visit the town of Llandudno; notable landmarks and local folk tales gave him the inspiration behind many of the stories and characters found in his famous works.   In a recent poll, people were asked what defines Welsh culture and what they think of when the country of Wales is mentioned. The top three answers were not surprising: the red dragon that adorns the national flag, the Welsh language that is one of the oldest in Europe, and the Druids were what people associated with Wales. For a country so small, Wales has made a big footprint on the world stage with its vast and complex history, its contribution to the arts, and its cultural heritage that stem from its clear and inspirational Druidic and pagan roots.

What it means to live a life of integrity October 4 Truthful lips endure forever,but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. – Proverbs 12:19 A man went fishing one day without catching a single fish. So, he packed up his gear, went to the market, and picked out three fat fish to take home to his family. As the store manager was about to wrap up the purchase, the man asked him, "Before you wrap them, could you toss them to me, one by one? That way, I can truthfully tell my wife I caught them!" When it comes to telling the truth, many people like to scoot by on technicalities, half-truths, and word games in order to hide the real facts. They value their reputation over their integrity and do whatever it takes to make sure people think highly of them. But when we look at the Scriptures, we find that way of thinking is a recipe for disaster. Take King Saul, for example, who directly disobeyed God's orders in 1 Samuel 15. When he was confronted about it, he continued down his path of lies for no other reason than to preserve his reputation while slowly destroying his integrity. The old adage is true: Honesty is the best policy. When you live a life of truth, you'll not only please the Lord; you'll keep a clear conscience. So be truthful in all you do and maintain a life of honesty and integrity. Prayer Challenge Ask God to help you be truthful in all your dealings with others and to value your integrity over your reputation. Questions for Thought Why do you think many people place more value on their reputations than they do their integrity? In what areas of your life have you perhaps let your integrity slip? What can you do to build it back up? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post What it Means to Live a Life of Integrity – Senior Living – October 4 appeared first on GodUpdates.

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