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To Understand Todays Crisis in News, Look to the Past: a Journalist-Historian Tells the History of American Journalism in a New Book

Vital Balances
on May 10th, 2012 by - No Comments


Boston, MA (PRWEB) March 27, 2012

Is American journalism really in peril? A robust, unfettered press, free from government intrusion, has forever been emblematic of our liberties and a vital part of American life. In his fresh narrative, Covering America (University of Massachusetts Press, cloth, $ 49.95), journalist and professor Christopher B. Daly provides a lively, engaging history of journalisms 300-year evolution in America, offering valuable historical context to todays journalism is in crisis meme. The good news: todays surge in partisanship, rise of the blogosphere, and journalisms overall teetering business model are but the latest in a long history of challenges forcing American journalism to find new and better ways to adapt and thrive.

Too many Americans today believe journalism is falling apart, says Daly, who teaches journalism and history at Boston University, after a career at both the Washington Post and Associated Press. From colonial times onward, there have always been challenges to the structure and practice of producing the news in America. Today is no different. History provides perspective. Dalys original research and comprehensive synthesis of the latest historical scholarship provides it in spades.

Drawing on a wealth of examples, Daly explains that U.S. journalism went through periods of deep change in the 1830s and again in the 1920speriods that were just as convulsive as todays. In Covering America, readers will find answers to their questions: Is serious journalism dying? Are the media fair? Is ownership too concentrated? Is the FCC too involved in regulating content? Covering America sets the stage for serious analysiswhile making enjoyably vivid the often larger-than-life characters who have shaped and defined American journalism through the centuries.

Journalism, in the end, is the story of people. Daly colorfully details and provides insight into the lives of the practitioners of journalism, the men and women, who, through sheer force of their personalities, built and contributed to the institution that runs as a thread through the history of the republic. Covering America presents them allin an accessible story-telling format that focuses on the visionary innovators, famous and not, who shaped the industry to their times by dint of their often oversized ambition and personalities: Benjamin Franklin, John and Anna Zenger, Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, Nellie Bly, Ida Tarbell, Frederick Douglass, Kay Graham, Arianna Huffington, and more. Daly adds shape and new understanding to the intriguing stories many of us know as myths of origin, says Douglas Cumming, author of The Southern Press: Literary Legacies and the Challenge of Modernity. The biographical portraits alone make Covering America a joy to read. This is grand narrative as it should be, says historian Bruce Schulman.

Covering America is the work of an author wearing two hatsthat of a veteran newsman and an academic scholar. Daly leverages primary material, including archival material, original documents, and recordings, along with personal experience, to provide brand new arguments on journalism across all of its platforms: newspapers, magazines, photos, radio, TV, and the Web. Whether focusing on media economics, the impact of new technologies, or the sociology and philosophy inherent in the journalistic enterprise, Daly manages a fine balance between scholarship and popular culture. This book will re-shape the discussion over the news media. A lively history of American journalism.

Read all about it!

Essential reading for anyone who cares about American history, media, or culture. This is a great story about the entire tradition of journalistic storytelling, told smartly and thoroughly.

Susan Orlean, staff writer for The New Yorker and author of Rin, Tin, Tin: The Life and the Legend and The Orchid Thief.

For further information, visit http://www.journalismprofessor.com.

Covering America: A Narrative History of a Nations Journalism

By Christopher B. Daly

http://www.umass.edu/umpress/title/covering-america

University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst and Boston

576 pp.

$ 49.95 cloth, ISBN 978-1-55849-911-9

Media contact: Victor Gulotta, Gulotta Communications, Inc.

617-630-9286, http://www.booktours.com, victor(at)booktours(dot)com

About the Author

A veteran journalist and historian, Christopher B. Daly teaches journalism and history at Boston University. He is coauthor of Like a Family: The Making of a Southern Cotton Mill World, which won the Albert J. Beveridge Award of the American Historical Association and the Merle Curti Award of the Organization of American Historians. He also blogs about journalism and history at http://journalismprofessor.com. His journalism has appeared in the Washington Post, the Atlantic, Columbia Journalism Review, and many other publications.





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Trans Fats Can Increase Irritability and Aggression

Infections
on April 25th, 2012 by - No Comments

People who eat products with large contents of trans fats are more aggressive and more irritable than those who do not eat these products. This result emerges from a study by the University of California.

Basically, trans fats can be found in hard margarine, cooking oil, pretzels, cookies, cakes and fast foods. Trans fat can also be created in the hardening of vegetable oil among others. Other adverse effects of trans fats include the risk to increase blood cholesterol, which subsequently increases the risk of heart disease. Other than that, it also increases the risk to suffer from diabetes.

For this study about a thousand people were asked about their general daily eating habits and whether they have a violent past. Various other tests were conducted which examined how the participants coped with conflict, how they rated themselves in the field of impatience and irritation, and how high they scored on a scale the researchers used to measure aggression. What they found out from this study made them understand more about the connection of trans fat intake and aggression.

The conclusion of the study was that a person will have the tendency to become more aggressive if their diet contains large amounts of trans fats. According to the researchers, the relationship between diet and aggression is especially important for schools or prisons. By limiting foods containing high amounts of trans fat, aggression and violence can be avoided in these places. This is especially important for prisons where there is already a large population of aggressive and violent people.

Good fats or also know as unsaturated fats have a positive impact on the blood cholesterol levels. Essentially it is important to increase the intake of good fats which are found in fish, nuts, olives and various vegetable oils. It is important, especially for parents, to understand this problem if they want their children to grow up and develop without aggression and angry.

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Eating Breakfast Regularly Can Decrease the Risk of Diabetes

Diabetes
on April 23rd, 2012 by - No Comments

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have examined the relationship between eating breakfast and the development of diabetes. It appears that men who regularly skip breakfast are more likely to develop diabetes. Men that did not eat breakfast regularly had an increased 21% risk to suffer from diabetes compared to men who always ate breakfast. Even the men who are not overweight and otherwise ate healthy food increased their risk to suffer from diabetes by skipping breakfast.

In this research the breakfast habits of nearly 30,000 men over a period of 16 years were studied. None of the men had diabetes at the beginning of the study. Another conclusion of the study was that men who ate only 1 or 2 time a day had a 25% increased chance to suffer from diabetes than men who ate 3 times a day. The reasoning behind this is due to the fact that men eating 2 meals a day tend to over compensate and over eat during both meals. They feel that since they only eat twice a day, it is okay to eat large amounts food and subsequently cause a very unbalanced diet. Foods high in fat and sugar tend to become a focus of intake for men that only eat two times a day. This shows yet again how important it is to eat breakfast regularly. Eat three meals a day, according to researchers with an optimal diet to reduce the risk of suffering type 2 diabetes.

Of course, a well balanced breakfast should be eaten if you wish to prevent yourself from suffering from type 2 diabetes. This means that the breakfast should be high in fiber and protein but also low in fat and sugar. Whether or not this is true for women will be proven in further studies. On the other hand, women already tend to eat breakfast more regularly than men.

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High Protein Intake Can Decrease Blood Pressure

Diseases
on April 21st, 2012 by - No Comments

Researchers at the Top Institute for Food & Nutrition discovered that blood pressure in overweight people decreases when extra protein is eaten. There have been several experiments and studies that have shown a correlation between protein intake and blood pressure. Therefore, the Top Institute for Food & Nutrition and collaboration between the University of Groningen and Maastricht University decided to re-examine this connection.

Participants who are overweight (with a BMI of 25-35), suffering from chronic hypertension without treatment and the age of 20 to 70 years old were asked to consume a special drink with their meals up to 4 weeks. About 51 participants were given a carbohydrate drink and 43 participants received a high protein drink. After a month, the blood pressure was measured again. Participants with the protein rich drink had lower blood pressures than those with the high carbohydrate drink. Their systolic blood pressure had dropped nearly 5 millimeters of mercury pressure (mmHg) and their diastolic pressure by 2.7 mmHg. Based on the data of this study, for a nutritional intervention to hypertension, the high protein drink has a great effect. But for an individual with chronic hypertension, that reduction is relatively small and insignificant compared to the decrease when taking medicine. Some people suffering from chronic hypertension even must rely on taking medication regularly.

Why extra protein can lower blood pressure, the researchers do not have a clear explanation for that right now, but hopefully we do not have to wait too long that answer. A continuing study done by a doctoral student at the Maastricht University is already in place. Hopefully within a few short years we will know the correlation between high protein intake and decreased blood pressure. Before you go ahead and consume large amounts of protein, it is important to consult your physician or nutritionist to prevent anything adverse.

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Weight loss for wellness in Arizona

Food & nutrition Health & Fitness
on April 20th, 2012 by - No Comments

Are you living in Arizona and looking for some arizona weight loss programs?

Being overweight or Obese poses many health, wellness, fitness and other social related problems. It affects how you look and feel apart from facing medical risks and challenges.

The HCG diet from transformyou may be the perfect solution for you to transforming yourself to a fit and healthy person.

The ultra lite program teaches you on your eating habits like how, when and what to eat for fat burning.

The balanced protein and carbohydrate program is all about correct food and eating correct quantities for a perfect weight for you.

B12 & MIC injection contains vitamins along with minerals and amino acids for a monitored Weight Loss Program.

Lipotropic agents  like inositol play important roles in use of fat by the body.

Since these are not naturally absorbed by our digestive system, it may be useful to take as injections.

At arizona weight loss company transformyou a 4 week consultation costs around 225$.

The institute also offers Appetite Suppressants Phentermine and Phendimetrazine in various strengths. The consultation charges is around 150$ which includes 30 days supply of medicines.

These supprsents may result in Chest pain, Fainting, swelling of feet, swelling of legs, breathing problems etc. Contact the Doctor at Transformyou immediately.

 

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About the Mediterranean Diet

Food & nutrition
on April 20th, 2012 by - No Comments

The typical Mediterranean diet has often been positive in the news and one of the most adopted diet methods. The eating habits that the people have in Crete is often used as an example as for the traditional Mediterranean diet. It is important to know that they have a higher life expectancy and fewer people die from heart disease and cancer.

In 1960, the eating habits of the people who live in Crete were compared with the eating habits of the typical American. The following are just a few eating habits that were compared in this study:
In America, people ate more saturated fat products while the Greeks ate food with more olive oil and is perceived to have unsaturated fats in it
At that time Greeks ate more fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits and legumes
Greeks ate more bread and potatoes than people in America
Greeks ate less meat and eggs, but much more fish

The Mediterranean diet includes various foods that contain abundant monounsaturated fatty acids, high in omega 3 fatty acids, high in fiber, antioxidants such as selenium and vitamins E and C and very little saturated fat.

Also one thing that should be noted is the food pyramid of the Mediterranean diet. In the lower and most important layer are the most important daily foods such as bread, grains, pasta, cheese, yoghurts, nuts, vegetable and fruits. Next are various types of fish and seafood that are eaten several times a week. Then the consumption of meat and sweets is in the smallest box and it is only eaten several times a month. Also wine is at the pyramid described herein as an important antioxidant.

However, the eating habits of the Greeks have enormously changes. In 1990 another study on the eating habits of the Greeks showed a large number of Greeks are starting to eat unhealthily. At this day and age, cardiovascular diseases are more common. Also in 2005 we looked at the eating habits once more and noticed that a large number of Greeks are eating less bread and fruit. Plus they are eating more red meat and cheese. Subsequently the BMI and total cholesterol measurement increased in general in 2005.

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Comparing Home Birth and Hospital Birth

women's health
on April 12th, 2012 by - No Comments

Women have the choice to give birth at home or in hospital, especially if they listen to their own feelings. The risk of complications is small, where they give birth, scientists from the University of Oxford have discovered.

Their research shows that home birth, although the risk of complications increases slightly, but this applies only for the birth of the first child. In subsequent births is not true. Furthermore, the risk of complications is so low that women therefore should not be guided in choosing where they want to give birth but instead the decision should be made entirely be them if there aren’t any complications. The births were assisted by either a midwife or a physician.

The safety of home and hospital birth has long been debated with various pros and contras for both options. This British study is the largest ever done on this topic. The researchers studied data from 64,538 births. Plus this study has been evaluated from data throughout the years.

They looked here for the location of the birth and the occurrence of complications just before, during and shortly after birth, such as stillbirth, brain disorders, stool in the lungs and injuries to the arms or shoulders. Complications for the mother were also observed such as bleeding.

All women had no risk factors before she became pregnant and had a pregnancy without health problems. Essentially, all of the women in this study were quite healthy and in excellent shape.

The risk of complications was generally low: 4.3 per 1,000 births, which is less than 1%. There was no association between the location of childbirth and its complications. However, the risk of complications increases when women gave birth of their first child at home: 9.3 per 1,000 births. In second and following births risks decreased much drastically.

Essentially, this study states that home births are quite safe if you are physically healthy and prepared. Although, you must take precautions if you are giving birth to your first child since the risk increases slightly.

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Can you get slim body using pills

Health & Fitness
on April 8th, 2012 by - No Comments

Overweight is a nightmare for many women and how to get slim body is a mystery and misery for many women who are over weight or obese.

You would have visited many gyms, diet experts and websites to get help on this. It is very easy to give weight loss tips but it may not work or you may not be seriously at the program.

If you are such a person then few products like slimquick detox pills come handy while fighting over weight.

This is made up of caffeine and green tea extracts which have proved to at least act as appetite suppression agents which is a great help to make you eat less.

The company also claims that gives energy and help balance blood sugar levels.

Visit slimquick detox pills webpage to get more information on warnings and side effects.

 

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What are the regular ingredients of the popular fat burning medicines?

Health & Fitness
on April 7th, 2012 by - No Comments

Some of the popular ingredients of the fat burning pills are ephendra, caffeine, green tea, acai berries etc. Most of the pills have these as the base and are extracted from many herbs.

Zantrex 3 is one such fat burner which may have good effects because it uses many herb based proven ingredients.

I was looking to find where to buy zantrex 3 and found the website which is selling it online.

I was looking at the impressive list zantrex 3 fat burner ingredients which had Yerba Mate a natural herb which contains caffeine, vitamins and mineralsalong with many amino acids.

Looks like interesting fat burning option.

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How to sleep better?

Sleep & snoring
on April 6th, 2012 by - No Comments

A good night’s sleep is the most important thing if you ask me for your health and wealth. If you had a short sleep or a bad sleep, it is sure to affect the days life in short term and your health in long run.

Your sleep is many times also dependent on your partner’s sleeping habits.

If you are having snoring issues your partner is almost sure to suffer from it and vice versa.

Are there ways for stopping snoring? Definitely yes. Let us discuss a few of these remedies here.

There are many natural ways you should consider first like changing your sleeping positions, loosing a bit of weight, some arm related exercises which can easy the throat muscles etc.

If these do not work, then try some products like snoring gaurds.

Are there any comfortable snoring mouthguard downsides ? I do not think there are any serious harms but consult your doctor to take a decision.

There are also many different types of mouth guards like hard guards, soft guards, tray guards etc.

 

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