My fiance was recently investigating Online Colleges for online degree programs in psychology. I am certainly in question about the standards of the academics and whether or not there is funding and financial aid available in this regard. I am a firm believer in face to face learning, as this is what works for me, yet I know that certain methods of obtaining information are varied between students. Considering I'm a researcher and blogger, I tend to dig deeply into the fine print of educational programs, as I did the same when I first visited (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/). So what do people look for when they search for colleges online?

Flexibility is certainly one of the main selling points of online programs and cost is of course a consideration. As a student, I tend to mix up my class modes, with at least one online class which allows me to work at my own pace and in my pajamas *smile*. However, in searching for online degree programs for psychology I noticed that the cost is considerably lower than state institutions. Not to mention, you have access to colleges you would have never had the chance to visit, especially if you live in another state. I am pleasantly surprised with the options for students these days, so I give a wholeheartedly thumbs up to online colleges!

Bonobos are often called the “Pygmy Chimpanzee.” They are a species of great ape found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their genus, the classification just above species in the taxonomic rating system, is Pan, which they share with only one other species, the Common Chimpanzee. The Bonobos are typically found in limited range-forests of west central Africa ans are slightly smaller but leaner and more defined than the Common Pan troglodytes. Bonobos also walk on two feet more than any other primate.Evolutionary Anthropology suggests they are more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas.

The Physical Characteristics of Bonobos

The swinging ape is more slender than the Common Chimpanzee. They have smaller heads with less prominent brows. They have black faces with pink lips, long parted hair, small ears and wide nostrils. Unlike the Common Chimpanzee, the females have more prominent breasts, but they are still less prominent than in human females. Like humans, they have extremely expressive facial features which they use for social interactions. Also, like humans, they have a high level of individual face variation.

The Habitat of Bonobo Apes

Approximately ten thousand of them live south of the Congo River and north of the Kasai River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are hunted for bush meat (especially with the conflict of the ongoing civil war) and have experienced extreme habitat loss, therefore they are listed as an endangered species.

The Diet of Bonobos

They are mainly known the be frugivorous, they subsist mostly on a diet of fruit. However, they are known to supplement their diets with other foods. These foods, from knowledge obtained so far, are leaves and sometimes even the meat of small animals.

The Social and Sexual Behavior of Bonobos

The majority of studies in anthropology agree that the females in the swinging ape society have the highest social standing. Some studies suggest that there are alpha males who lead the troops, but even they are selected by the social standing of their mothers. The mother-son bond plays a very strong role in the society and continues throughout their lives. The mothers will often carry and nurse their children for five to six years.

The sexual behavior of Bonobos and intercourse plays a large role in the society. With study, it appears that intercourse is used as a greeting, of resolving conflict and as a post-conflict resolution. The sex life of Bonobos reads like the cover of a tabloid. They are the only non-human animals on Earth who engage in many of the same sexual activities as humans. The sex life of Bonobos includes face to face sex, oral sex and tongue kissing. There are also many reports of same sex interactions between the apes. Lastly, members of the society who are sterile or too young to reproduce will still participate in sexual acts.

How Close are They to Humans?

 © BFS Man

 

They communicate through vocal means primarily. Their hand and facial gestures are very easy for humans to understand. At the Great Ape trust, a scientific research facility in Des Moines, Iowa, two of the primates have been taught to communicate with a keyboard using lexigrams, or geometric symbols, and they respond to spoken sentences. It is also believed by many researches that the Bonobos experience and express feelings of joy.

Also check out:

We're all familiar with the gorilla Koko. I grew up in elementary school, middle school, and high school science classes, watching documentaries and reading about this linguistically enabled gorilla, raised in captivity by Penny Patterson. Koko is a lowland gorilla born in 1971 and at the tender age of one, started The Gorilla Language Project with his teachers.


Anthropological Work of Penny Patterson with Lowland Gorilla Koko via Ancient Digger Archaeology

Sources

Photos courtesy of © courtneyBolton

Guest Post brought to you by Brooks-Range

Put Your Backcountry Tools To Work - Enjoy The Slopes Without Worrying About Avalanches

Brooks-Range offers a wide range of backcountry tools, designed by and for skiers. Safety is paramount when traveling the back country and durable backcountry tools are vital. In particular, avalanche tools, including backcountry shovels, snow saws, field organizers and outdoor map tools, help to keep skiers safe.

Avoiding Avalanches With The Right Training And Backcountry Tools

Skiers need to be experts in avalanche safety and they should at least take an Avalanche Awareness class. During this two hour course, participants will learn the conditions and factors that can cause avalanches. The course includes instruction on the use of safety gear, including avalanche probes, backcountry shovels and avalanche transceivers, for traveling in avalanche terrain.

Safety In The Back Country - Avalanche Transceiver

For more complete understanding, backcountry skiers should take a full AIARE Level 1 avalanche course. Over three days, the attendees will learn how to recognize avalanche conditions using backcountry tools such as back country shovels, snow saws, slope meters, and snow crystal cards, plus safe travel protocol. In addition, mock rescues are performed where participants will learn how to use avalanche transceivers and probes to locate buried victims and strategies for using back country shovels to dig victims out.

 

Many people are affected by migraine headaches every day. The symptoms are sometimes so severe that it leads to the inability to function in everyday life due to the excruciating pain people experience. There is relief from these symptoms through various types of treatment from medications to home remedies. Knowledge of what they are as well as possible triggers can help people cope with these symptoms.

Read More: The Mystery Behind Migraine Headaches

© miss.libertine

The Great Mound of Knowth was built over 5000 years ago, probably after the construction of Newgrange and before the construction of Dowth. The Great Mound at Knowth is similar in size to Newgrange and is surrounded by 18 smaller satellite mounds. The archaeological site at Knowth has two passages with entrances on opposite sides, the western passage is 34 metres long and the eastern passage is 40 metre long, ending with a cruciform chamber.

The main mound contains two passage tombs, entered from the east and west. The western side is 34 meters long and the eastern passage is 40 meters long ending in a cruciform. The eastern passage can be glimpsed from an excavated chamber.

Read More: Mounds of Knowth By Ron Siojo

It's not always a sexual matter, but rather a way of living. The Kama Sutra teaches the vision of the proper "art of living for the civilized and refined {male} "citizen". There are no pictures of sex acts in the original Kama Sutra as much as that may surprise you. It is actually considered a companion to the" Art of Politics" and "Art of Economics and Ethics" philosophes. The act of being kind to others and forgiving is just as important as a healthy sex life and males must attain these attributes equally.

So then, how is pleasure defined and how do you define pleasure? I recently came across Arash's World and his latest post entitled "Life of the Sexual Mystic: Kierkegaard and Different Types of Pleasure". The article was both enlightening and scholarly on the matter of pleasure.

Who does not like pleasure? We may have different ways of seeing, appreciating and relishing pleasure, but we all enjoy it whenever it crosses our path. Pleasure may range from reading books, watching movies, or doing some gardening to engaging in sports, going dancing, to winning battles in everyday life. Pleasure can also effortlessly embrace seeming contradictions such as sexual fulfillment and abstinence. Yes, even religion brims over with sensuality when it comes to fighting against the manifestation of passion and its identification with the divine.

Read More: Life of the Sexual Mystic: Kierkegaard and Different Types of Pleasure By Arash Farzaneh

Picture: Edgar Degas: Frau bei der Toilette (The Yorck Project)

Pictures were taken at the Ripley's Aquarium in the Smokey's of Tennessee.According to National Geographic, Poison dart frogs wear some of the most brilliant and beautiful colors on Earth. Depending on individual habitats, which extend from the tropical forests of Costa Rica to Brazil, their coloring can be yellow, gold, copper, red, green, blue, or black. Their elaborate designs and hues are deliberately ostentatious to ward off potential predators, a tactic called aposematic coloration.

Archelon Ischyros was the largest turtle ever to inhabit the world's oceans 77 million years ago during the late Cretaceous. Several months ago I was able to see a skeleton up close at the Ripley's Aquarium in the Smokies of Tennessee. Rather a casting made from a specimen found in South Dakota, which if you think about it, proves the Great Plains were covered with salt water.

Like the archaeology site of Stonehenge, the Stone Circles of Avebury have retained a somewhat mysterious reputation. In fact, up until the 19th century, people would circle the monument, or dance around the maypole as it was called, in one of the circles, possibly as a fertility ritual. There are several other ritual sites nearby, as the landscape of Avebury, is steeped in ritual context.

During the 1930’s Alexander Keiller investigated the Avebury Stone Circles and even raised some of the fallen megalithic stones.

Read More:  Avebury Stone Circles

Agora Gallery's Guide To Visiting Chelsea

There's nowhere quite like Chelsea, New York. It's an area which fully deserves its worldwide reputation as an art district, with galleries around every corner and along every street, showing an enormous variety of art and artists. Local art, American art and international art all have their place, and art lovers have been known to spend whole days or even weeks happily exploring what's on offer. While Agora Gallery reviews a wide range of artistic styles and mediums, some galleries prefer to focus solely on one. This only adds to the eclectic nature of the art on offer -- meaning there's something for everyone, and a paradise for art enthusiasts.

There are well-known buildings to see, such as Hotel Chelsea, which has had a number of famous residents over the years, the Chelsea Art Tower, which was the first art gallery condominium in Manhattan, and the headquarters of media company IAC, which was designed by Frank Gehry and quickly became a looked-for sight in the neighborhood.

Art Isn't The Only Attraction Near Agora Gallery

If the weather's good, be sure to visit the High Line. Once a railway that transported goods around the city, it has been recreated as a wonderful open air community space with greenery, clever architecture, fantastic views and constantly changing public art. A great place to relax, meet friends and even sunbathe, the High Line provides something very different to the busyness that characterizes the city. We at Agora Gallery love to take advantage of this special space.

A Great Range Of Food Is Never Far From Agora Gallery

There's also a great range of food on offer. Whether you're pausing for a take-away or looking to sit down somewhere with character, you'll be sure to find somewhere that suits your tastes. Working in the area, naturally the staff at Agora Gallery reviews a good variety of the food on offer, both individually and in groups -- and while we each have our favorites, we're always happy to branch out and try something new! Don't miss the Chelsea Market, where you can find everything from groceries to baked goods to fine wine.

Come to Chelsea prepared to explore, wander down side streets, and generally take up any opportunity that you see. There's a treasure trove of sights, sounds and above all art to be found -- just dive in and enjoy!

 

The use of language in politics and positions of power in The King's Speech projects a certain identity. How these individuals direct their linguistic capabilities is imperative in their overall recognition as a leader. A charismatic speaker may be inspiring, while a person, who seeks to keep silent while sharing their position or stance, is seen as lackluster.


Read More: The King's Speech: A Fascinating Glimpse At Linguistics and Speech Impediments

"How ironic that the one creature deemed all violent is the most peaceful: the mountain gorilla. With only 720 remaining, Craig Sholley of AWF teaches us about his organization's efforts to preserve gorillas in Rwanda".

Sholley explains that the gorilla's identifiers are the marks on their noses. A fingerprint he says. He's been working for the African Wildlife Federation for over 30 years and from where he stands, the landscapes these amazing animals live in are the most beautiful in the world.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to more than half the population of mountain gorillas. Six of the Virungas volcanoes form the boundary of Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC, and these locations are the last homes of the mountain gorilla.

The documentary touches on the Kwitonda Group where the family interacts and the children tackle their parents. Genetically these great apes are 98.6% human, so their mannerisms and social interactions are "basically human behavior". They are, however, rarely aggressive towards one another, and if they are, the problem is resolved quite quickly.

The Susa Group consisted of 39 gorillas and 4 silverbacks. The explorers were surrounded on all sides with this particular family.

Watch the documentary Gorillas... 98.6% Human (Rwanda) in its entirety above and see how much you really know about the mountain gorilla.

Paris is Burning is a critically acclaimed documentary by Jenny Livingston diving deep into the lives of New York’s drag queens. The documentary gives us a glimpse of “voguing” which was the underground dance style later made famous by Madonna. Controversial subjects such as racism, AIDS, and homosexuality are some of the many topics discussed.

The documentary starts in New York, 1987. There were two things that challenged the black men in this documentary, being black and gay. But in actuality, these two things didn’t exist in the underground, where gold sequins and hip walking charmed the crowds.

The Ball Circuit, like any game or event, is what these men of the underground train for. This is where the stories unfold. The Ball is the closest many of these men will ever get to fame and fortune and they thrive on it. They see the way rich people live and they think they want that life. The Balls are a fantasy and whatever you want them to be. There are legends and there are children. The legends have their trophies and the children seek out their legendary status by attending the balls, using every bit of money for a new outfit, often showing up starving. These men don’t mimic the drag queens of today, but rather the couture models of the Paris runway. Styled in their hand made fashions and overdramatic hats, walking on the floor is an art, not a parade.

“It’s an addictive high which won’t hurt you. It’s a fame. It’s a small fame. You like the applause and adoration”, Dorian Corey replies.

When Pepper Labeija started going to balls, it was like going to see Las Vegas showgirls. Feathers, ruffles, and beads abound until the 1970’s, and then a downward movement, towards a more mod, movie start look was embraced.

It wasn’t just men in these balls, rather transsexual men, competed in such categories as a luscious body or even going to school in the School Boy/Schoolgirl Realness contest.The Town and Country category was the epitome of the classically dressed men on the green or polo field and the stylish executive men of the 80’s.

What is it about these labels? It’s about being the person you want to be in a ballroom when racism rears its ugly head in the real world.

The documentary turns to the changing of the sexes where the true queens are almost undetectable in real life, going through the normal growing pains as a woman would. They’ve lost their real parents or their parents have rejected their lifestyles, so the “children” latch on to the more experienced legends.

These loners take up with a “House” and they act as a gang or family, like the hippies had families in the 60’s, yet they perform at balls together rather than take up street fighting down the dark alleys of New York. You street fight at a ball by walking in the categories.



Angie, the Mother of the House of Extravaganza

The “houses” are led by the walkers who have won trophies in the past and the children will work to give the house a better name and reputation. They assist the children during their contests and they give them advice, things they learned about gay life when they were their age.



If any of you are Top Model fans,you will remember Benny Ninja, the posing god of the fashion world. Benny is the  father of the House of Ninja, a post given to him by the late Willi Ninja. The Ninjas are the voguing queens of the underground.



Pepper Labeija is the Mother of the House of Labeija. He’s been around for two decades and says “he holds more prizes than all the rest”. He claims he has more members than any other house and everyone in New York wants to be a member. Of course, the children speak another story.

Reading and Shade

Reading is a ritual insult, either a snide remark about their body shape or how much makeup they wear, down to the cheapness of their clothing. This translates to shade, in that, the person doesn’t have to “tell you you’re ugly, because you already know you’re ugly”.

Voguing

Voguing came from shade because it was a dance that two people did when they didn’t like each other. Who ever has the best shade, or moves, wins the battle, without violence. There’s no touching involved, as touching results in cutting (elimination) from a contest.

You will notice, many of the poses in Paris in Burning are seen on your favorite fashion models in the magazine Vogue. The poses draw from Egyptian hieroglyphics and straight lines in the body.

In New York, 1989. voguing officially hit the media and the main persons involved finally were making a name for themselves, outside the underground clubs of Harlem.

The Fashion

Eileen Ford, Ford Models

In the documentary Willi Ninja is training models on the catwalk, just like Benny Ninja teaches posing. His abilities when it came to voguing were just as high in demand as posing is today. Yet, the walkers in the underground walk in a smoke filled room with trash on the floor and paper table cloths and the models of today walk on glitter paved catwalks.

If you can afford a label it means you have wealth or you shoplifted the clothing. They call it mopping (stealing) and you can tell by a person’s facial expression on the circuit if they bought it or stole it.

The Money

The circuit doesn’t pay, so the individuals turn to hustling and escorting to pay for their clothing for the ball. Why do they do it? To become legends I suppose or to make a name for themselves so they can obtain a better life on the outside.

Summary

In some cases, like Willie Ninja, they were able to break out after the media introduced this stylized craft. After traveling all over Europe and working as a choreographer to models, Ninja made a name for himself, globally. Others suffered different fates. One legend (Venus) was murdered in a hotel room, probably the result of one of her clients from hooking , whom she had previously said, never forced her to have sex.

If you capture the white way of living in the ballroom you are a marvel. The want to be somebody, a rich somebody, because this is what they have been told is not attainable. There wasn’t money involved, only trophies, so I assume the chance to live a life they may never get to experience is their reward.