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It would be incredibly difficult for California to split into three states. If it did, here's how it would work

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latino protesters trump los angeles california

  • A proposal to split California into three states — Northern California, California, and Southern California — has qualified to appear on the ballot in November's general election.
  • The Cal 3 ballot measure received more than 400,000 valid signatures, thanks to financial backing from Silicon Valley investor Tim Draper.
  • It's still unclear if cutting up California into three states is legal and if Cal 3 could muster enough support from California voters and US Congress.
  • We spoke with some experts about how Cal 3 could work.

 

This November, Californians will head to the polls to vote on a peculiar ballot measure that asks, "Hey, how do you feel about splitting into three states?"

This is really happening.

A proposal to divide California into three states— Northern California, California, and Southern California — qualified this week to appear on the ballot in November's general election. It received over 458,000 valid signatures, more than the number required by state law to get on the ballot, thanks to an ambitious campaign called Cal 3 and financial backing from Silicon Valley tycoon Tim Draper, an early investor in Tesla and Skype.

If a majority of California voters who cast ballots agree to divvy up the state into three, the plan would then go onto the US Congress for approval.

There's bad news for anyone in support of this initiative: Even if the measure gathers enough support at the polls, it would still be incredibly difficult for California to pull off.

All states have a special process for amending their state constitution. In some states, two houses of congress need need to approve a ballot measure before residents get a chance to weigh in at the polls. California is an oddball. The state's initiative process lets a vote by the people pass a measure into law, without the blessing of the state legislatures.

The ballot measure put forth by Draper, a well-known tech investor, establishes new boundaries for three new states within the existing California and provides the "legislative consent" of the people of California. With a few choice words, the initiative argues that it doesn't need state congressional approval before moving onto US Congress.

But there's a catch. The California Constitution says through the initiative you can change the constitution only so much. A small change to part of a constitution is called an amendment, while a holistic and fundamental change to a constitution is considered a revision. State law requires more than a vote by the people to enact a revision.

California split map (3)

The proposal to slice and dice California into three states bills itself as an amendment. Shaun Bowler, a political science professor at UC Riverside who's studied California's initiative process, says that's wishful thinking.

An amendment supposes, "it's just a minor change, it's just cosmetic," Bowler told Business Insider. He's incredulous that Cal 3 fits that definition:  "Really? It doesn't seem plausible to me. If you're amending it out of existence that seems pretty fundamental to me."

Draper, who's tried twice before to break up his home state, has given $1.2 million to Citizens for Cal 3, the campaign supporting his quest. And the process of gathering signatures could easily have cost Draper an additional $1 million, according to experts on California's initiative process that Business Insider spoke to. 

Cal 3 racked up nearly half a million signatures in California cities from San Francisco to Fresno to Yuba, with a majority of signees in Los Angeles. Still, the numbers don't look good for Draper. An early poll from Survey USA found 17% of California voters would vote to divide, but the survey only sampled about 900 people.

If California decides to split up, here's how it would work

Let's suppose that in an unexpected twist, a majority of California's 39 million residents decide to break up the most populous US state and the world's fifth largest economy (bigger than the UK).

Opponents might challenge the measure as unconstitutional, on the grounds that it counts as a constitutional revision and not an amendment. The debate eventually moves onto the California Supreme Court, and the measure could die there.

Now imagine that Cal 3 makes its way to Washington, in spite of all obstacles.

Article IV, Section 3 of the US Constitution says that no new state can be formed out of existing states without the consent of the other states. It means that the US House and US Senate both need to sign off on California splintering into three states.

This is where it gets really interesting.

California split infographic (2)

Under the proposal, each state would have two US senators and a number of congressional representatives based roughly on its population.

As a result, the people of today's California would gain several more voices in the Electoral College, who cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

Vikram Amar, a professor and dean of the College of Law at the University of Illinois, says the question of whether or not to partition California gets political here.

"California can be relied upon to deliver all 55 electoral votes to the Democratic Party. It's a very solid, predictable blue state," Amar told Business Insider.

But the potential state of Southern California, which contains much of the urban sprawl and desert communities of the Inland Empire, could be considered a swing state, according to Amar. Had it been its own state during the 2012 presidential election, Southern California would have gone for Mitt Romney. Five out of 12 counties voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 election (not a commanding lead).

Politicians may think twice about carving up a state that has long voted Democrat.

"The Dems are never going to risk that," Amar said.

On the flipside, the Republican Party may also be wary of three Californias. The proposal would give the people of California six US senators instead of two.

Bottom line: 3 Californias is highly unlikely

Amar, who's followed Draper's efforts to cut up California since 2014, doesn't like to conjecture about the likelihood of the tech investor's proposal coming to pass.

Still, he doesn't give Cal 3 great odds.

"I would say it doesn't seem like it has the backing it would need from a wide array of political forces, but it does have the backing of some wealthy individuals, like Mr. Draper," Amar said.

"Strange things happen. No one would have predicted that Donald Trump would win Michigan and Wisconsin," he added. "I think we've all learned that you don't get too smug about conventional polling."

SEE ALSO: A legendary Silicon Valley investor wants to split California into 3 states, and his proposal just qualified for the November ballot

Join the conversation about this story »

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The 21 best places to celebrate the 4th of July this year, ranked from most to least expensive

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water swimming fireworks vacation party New Year's Rio

  • People travel all over the US to celebrate the Fourth of July, America's independence day, every year.
  • HomeToGo ranked the top 21 destinations for the Fourth of July based on popularity and affordability. 
  • The best and most affordable places to celebrate July 4 are San Antonio, Texas, followed by St. Louis, Missouri. 

America comes together every year to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Popular firework destinations usually boost their prices for the holiday, but some big cities get cheaper. For example, accommodations in New Orleans for the Fourth of July are 53% more expensive than at other times, whereas San Francisco is 27% cheaper, reports HomeToGo.

HomeToGo compiled data on everything from accommodation prices to the cost of sparklers to find out which cities are the best for celebrating the Fourth of July.

best cities to celebrate the 4th of july on a budget

Here's what HomeToGo factored in:

Food and drink: 1/4 gallon milk, bread, 3 eggs, 1/4 lb bananas, 1/4 lb chicken, 1/2 lb beef, 1/4 lb cheese, 1/4 head lettuce, 1/4 pound tomatoes, 1/4 lb onion, 1/4 lb potatoes, and two locally produced beers for one person. Prices sourced from a leading online grocery store.

Accommodations: The average price per-person per-night to stay in a four person space beginning Monday July 2, 2018. Prices sourced from HomeToGo's booking data for July 2018.

Cost of American flag: A 3' x 5' polyester flag including tax. Prices sourced from leading online retailers. 

Cost of sparklers: A single box of 10" color sparklers including tax. Prices sourced from online fireworks retailer. 

Cost of gas per-gallon: The cost of one gallon of regular gas including tax. Prices provided by AAA and calculated on May 29, 2018.

Below, see the total cost and item breakdown of a Fourth of July celebration in 21 US cities.

SEE ALSO: 13 places to travel in July for every type of traveler

DON'T MISS: 11 fun, free places to watch Fourth of July fireworks in New York City

21. New Orleans, Louisiana

Total cost: $161.84

Food and drink: $15.84 

Accommodations: $117

Cost of American flag: $12.08

Cost of sparklers: $14.29

Cost of gas per-gallon: $2.63



20. Los Angeles, California

Total cost: $153.33

Food and drink: $18.54

Accommodations: $105

Cost of American flag: $11.92

Cost of sparklers: $14.10

Cost of gas per-gallon: $3.77



19. New York City, New York

Total cost: $134.79

Food and drink: $20.70

Accommodations: $85

Cost of American flag: $11.91 

Cost of sparklers: $14.09

Cost of gas per-gallon: $3.09



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

IHOP changed its name to IHOb to promote its new lineup of burgers. They're shockingly good.

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IHOb 4

  • IHOP's decision to rename itself IHOb, or the International House of Burgers, infuriated many customers.
  • We were skeptical of IHOP's ability to craft burgers that matched its pancakes in quality.
  • But after trying the new burgers (with a side of pancakes), we were IHOb converts. 

IHOP's rebrand as IHOb — the International House of Burgers — left many customers skeptical.

Last week, IHOP, the International House of Pancakes, announced it would change its name to IHOb, flipping the "P" to a "b." On Monday, IHOP announced that the "b" stood for burgers.

"Burgers are really kind of unexpected for us, so we had to do something creative to get everyone's attention," IHOP's president, Darren Rebelez, told Business Insider. "But the pancakes aren't going anywhere."

The renaming, while temporary, sparked backlash from customers. Many remained unconvinced that IHOP's burgers could ever compare to its pancakes.

So we at Business Insider decided to try the new burgers for ourselves. Here's the verdict on IHOP — or IHOb's — controversial new menu item.

SEE ALSO: We compared Target's new $5 wines against Trader Joe's cheapest options — and the winner is obvious

IHOP changed its name to IHOb to promote the launch of the chain's Ultimate Steakburgers menu, a seven-burger lineup that includes options like the Big Brunch Burger, the Cowboy BBQ Burger, and the double-decker Mega Monster Burger.



We didn't have room in our stomachs to down all seven burgers, so we settled for two: the Cowboy BBQ Burger and the Big Brunch Burger.



The Cowboy BBQ Burger was a mighty beast, stacked high with onion rings. It was no quiet entrance into the burger business for IHOb — this one enters the menu with its deep-fried-onion guns blazing.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Ray Liotta on working with Jennifer Lopez, why he's been in only one Scorsese movie, and not believing the Woody Allen sexual-misconduct allegations

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shades of blue Peter Kramer NBC

  • Ray Liotta explains why he moved to TV. The final season of his show, "Shades of Blue," premieres on Sunday.
  • Liotta reveals the one thing about working opposite Jennifer Lopez on the show he wasn't fond of.
  • The actor also admits being disappointed he wasn't asked to be in Martin Scorsese's next movie, "The Irishman."
  • Since starring in "Goodfellas," there's been only one other Scorsese movie he was asked to be in — he reveals what it was and why he had to turn it down.
  • Liotta says he doesn't believe the sexual-misconduct allegations against Woody Allen.


For nearly 40 years Ray Liotta has been a fixture in Hollywood. From his breakout role as psycho Ray Sinclair opposite Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels in the 1986 cult classic “Something Wild” (which earned him a Golden Globe nomination) to his legendary performance as mobster-turned-snitch Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas,” the actor has adapted to every sea change the industry has thrown at him.

In the current superhero trend that movie studios are obsessed with, Liotta has shifted to television where he’s found success opposite Jennifer Lopez in the NBC cop drama “Shades of Blue,” in which the two play dirty cops (the show’s third and final season premieres Sunday).

Business Insider sat down with Liotta at a quiet restaurant in lower Manhattan to talk about his shift to television; the one critique about working with Lopez; being disappointed he wasn’t asked to be in Scorsese’s next movie, “The Irishman”; and why he doesn’t believe the sexual-misconduct allegations against Woody Allen.

Jason Guerrasio: You have said the reason you've gotten into TV is to hopefully score better movie-role offers. "Shades of Blue" is going into its last season. Did it work? Getting better offers?

Ray Liotta: Yeah. But also there's definitely been a change, a shift, in what studios do. If you look at last year's Oscars they put up 10 movies for best picture. Some of those just didn't belong. They are stretching it.

Guerrasio: They're stretching it because they want to get some of those blockbusters consideration in a field that for decades has been art-house-focused.

Liotta: Yeah. That's all it's become. It's about getting that $100 million or $150 million box office. It keeps going up and up, and that's all they shoot for. I think there's fatigue setting it. Look at the last one — "Solo." Even though it opened big they thought it was going to be bigger. I think people are just, like, Chill out for a minute.

Guerrasio: That being said, it seems for an actor there are a lot more opportunities on the TV and streaming side.

Liotta: Now, yes — no question about it. And it's not a sin to do it. Back when I started, like '77 or so, if you were doing a television show your career was over. Or you were like Karl Malden, a great actor in some of the best movies from "Street Car Named Desire" to —

Guerrasio: "On the Waterfront."

Liotta: He was great in that. But then there was a shift in the business, where this TV thing showed up and the movie roles dried up — especially as you get older. [Malden starred on the TV show “The Streets of San Francisco” and was nominated for an Emmy from 1974 to 1977.] It was smart for him because going to TV put a ton of money in his pocket. 

Guerrasio: So you dig doing TV?

Liotta: Yeah. I'll miss doing "Shades," because it was just so full and rich. I don't mind doing TV at all. 

Guerrasio: But how do you feel about the Marvel movies and "Star Wars" movies? Are those projects where if you were offered a role you'd be into it?

Liotta: I would explore it. I remember after my first movie, "Something Wild." I got a call; they wanted me to audition for "Batman." And I just said, "No, that's crazy." And that was the beginning of the comic-book craze.

Jennifer Lopez Ray Liotta AP

Guerrasio: So you've been on a TV series with Jennifer Lopez for three seasons. What's it been like? What really surprised you in how she works?

Liotta: She had so many things on her plate so I was always impressed that she always knew her lines, and mine. I need a few days to let the lines sink in, I'm used to movies where you get a month or so. I love doing the homework because things get deeper and fuller. For this, you just have to commit. With Jennifer, at first it was a big question mark for me; they want to do this edgy thing, but she was really good. She had some really good scenes. As it wore on, I think she knew she was leaving, and I don't want to bash her, but her discipline got a little looser. 

Guerrasio: You mean during this season? Because she knew the show was ending?

Liotta: Maybe, I don't know. I don't know what her motives were. But all in all I had a really good time working with her. It was fun doing scenes with her. My favorite scenes from the show are with her because they were real juicy. Because in the show she's like a daughter to me.

Guerrasio: When you see someone across from you, maybe not fully into the work, distracted, are you the kind of actor who's going to pull them aside and say something?

Liotta: No. No. No. She definitely was there with her lines and dedicated in terms of the work. Just every now and then she would come late, and if you come late it's a domino effect. NBC was really strict about a 14-hour workday. They cut if off at 14. So if you're at the end of the day you may only get one or two takes of a scene, so that wasn't exactly the teamwork that was needed. 

Guerrasio: You've said in interviews that you didn't really figure out the Hollywood game until well after "Goodfellas." That's when you finally got yourself a publicist and started getting yourself out there more. What's different now for an actor compared to working back in the '70s and '80s?

Liotta: I don't know how to get started now. The actors who are doing the superhero movies are the ones getting the leads in independent movies. Maybe if you get into a horror movie it helps. But right now it's the superhero guys. But I'm just curious of the shelf life on that. They just beat those movies to death. And you can't blame the studios, because from their point of view they don't give a f--- if the movie is good or bad: They need to answer to their shareholders. So I understand what it is.

I didn't have a publicist up until "Goodfellas." I didn't know that was what you're supposed to do. Nobody was helping me. I had the agents, but back then I think I was with the wrong people at that time to get me to the next thing. Now people brand themselves. I just did a movie with Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, a Noah Baumbach movie. So here's the movie where they can use their acting chops. Adam is really a talented guy. He's doing it right, but he's f---ing lucky to go and play Darth Vader.

Guerrasio: Because now he can start calling his own shots. 

Liotta: Right. You become the top guy on the list. 

Guerrasio: You in a Baumbach movie. I like that.

Liotta: Yeah. I'm a lawyer in it. Adam's and Scarlett's characters are going through a divorce, he comes to me, and I'm a lawyer who explains all these ways we can get stuff out of her in the divorce, and he's, like "No, that's too aggressive." So he ends up going to court, and there he realizes that Scarlett has a lawyer who's really aggressive. So then he's, like, "Oh, s--t," and he comes back to me to represent him.

Guerrasio: So a dark comedy?

Liotta: I don't know if dark, but it's a slice of life.</strong.

Goodfellas

Guerrasio: Are you a little bummed you're not in the Scorsese movie coming to Netflix, "The Irishman"?

Liotta: At first I was, definitely. I don't know. I guess I wasn't their cup of tea because I have never really done a movie for him since. No — there was something in "The Departed" that could have happened. But I had a movie I was already committed to so I couldn't get out of it. 

Guerrasio: Who would you have played?

Liotta: Ah, it doesn't matter.

Guerrasio: Of all the memorable actors who've worked with Scorsese, you're one of the few who worked with him only once.

Liotta: The parts were just never right. I have seen every movie that he's done and I can't say, "Oh, f---, I should have been doing that." Like, "Wolf of Wall Street" — who am I going to play?

Guerrasio: "Hugo" — who are you going to play in that?

Liotta: [Laughs] "Hugo." That's a good movie — shame nobody went to see that. That was a really good movie. Ben Kingsley was great. But I'll be interested to see "The Irishman." 

Guerrasio: The whole de-aging thing.

Liotta: Yeah. It's really going into a new thing of aging these people back. Everybody in the movie is pretty much in their 70s, so once I saw that I was, like, "Oh, of course I wouldn't be asked." He's going to work with Joe [Pesci] and Bob [De Niro] and Harvey [Keitel] and Al Pacino. 

Guerrasio: "Goodfellas" showed up on Netflix not too long ago, and it's crazy to think that a whole new generation is now being introduced to that movie. But also I have to think that because of streaming more people are seeing your other movies like "Narc" and "Cop Land" more than ever before.

Liotta: Younger people, like 14-, 15-year-old kids, come up to me, and they'll say that they saw a movie of mine. I'm very, very lucky that I had two movies that I think will live for a long time.

Guerrasio: Personally, I think more than two.

Liotta: Yeah, I wish more people saw "Narc.” And "Cop Land."

Guerrasio: Do you actively go out and try to get roles that are more fun and lighthearted, or does it come down to what is offered you?

Liotta: Playing Frank Sinatra [in “The Rat Pack”] was a lot of fun. You're singing and dancing, that was a lot of fun. I did that in "Muppets Most Wanted," too. I mean, I've done it. They are there — "Heartbreakers" was like that. "Dominick and Eugene" was beautiful. But just for some reason, the bad guys just stand out in people's mind. And that's with any actor.

Guerrasio: Who's the director you would drop everything right now and go work with, that you have never worked with yet?

Liotta: Woody Allen, I would.

Guerrasio: Even despite the allegations against him?

Liotta: I believe what he says. I don't think he did what they accuse him of. He's too — for his particular case I don't buy it.

SEE ALSO: The best summer movie of every year since 2000

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How a $9 billion startup deceived Silicon Valley

A real-life Westworld with a violent past is for sale in California for under $1 million — take a look inside the ghost town

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cerro gordo ghost town

  • Cerro Gordo, an abandoned mining town in Lone Pine, California, that looks straight out of Westworld is currently for sale for just under $1 million.
  • It boasts nearly 300 acres of land, historic buildings, many of which are being restored, and a history that's both violent and rich in economic growth.
  • The ghost town perfectly captures the essence of the Wild Wild West, frozen in time.

In some wild news from the Wild Wild West, a historic ghost town in Lone Pine, California, is for sale for just under $1 million.

A 19th-century mining town, Cerro Gordo boasts more than 300 acres of land and 22 buildings, many of which are being restored — and maybe a ghost or two, considering the town's violent history dating back to the 19th century. 

Established in 1865, Cerro Gordo was once the largest producer of silver and lead in California and helped spur economic growth in Los Angeles. The abandoned settlement is basically a history lover's dream.

"For those looking to acquire a piece of American West, Cerro Gordo is for you," reads the real estate listing, held by Jake Rasmuson of Bishop Real Estate

The deserted land of Cerro Gordo looks like something straight out of Westworld. See for yourself in the photos below. 

SEE ALSO: 30 photos of abandoned amusement parks around the US that will give you the chills

DON'T MISS: Nobody wants to buy 'Versailles in Manhattan,' a $19.75 million Upper East Side townhouse that has been on and off the market for 15 years

Cerro Gordo is a 19th-century mining town set in Lone Pine, California, in the Inyo Mountains on 300 acres of land. It's currently for sale for $925,000.

Source:Mental Floss



It has 22 structures on site, comprising 24,000 square feet of buildings including a historic hotel, bunkhouse, saloon, chapel, museum, and the Belshaw bunkhouse. Many of the buildings are being restored.

Source:Mental Floss, Ghost Town for Sale



Even artifacts are included.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

12 Costco food court menu items employees swear by

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Costco pizza

  • Costco's food court is home to a number of cheap and tasty menu options that members and food critics love.
  • Costco employees themselves have some favorites, too.
  • Business Insider reached out to 47 Costco workers and scoured the web to figure out what meals are considered standout hits with employees.


Costco food courts are famous for having cheap, yummy grub.

The food court menus are static in terms of price and offerings. You'll have to travel if you want to find any serious discrepancies between Costco food court menus.

They're definitely a good option for shoppers looking to grab a quick, post-shopping spree meal. And some Costco employees are fans too.

"Everything at the food court is a good deal and a favorite of all who stop by to eat," a seasonal Costco employee from New York told Business Insider. "It is a great convenience for everybody, no matter what time of day it is."

Business Insider recently asked a number of Costco employees to share their favorite food court menu options. We also scoured the internet for employee reviews of the food court items on social media.

"I eat at the food court more then I would like too," one Ontario-based Costco employee told Business Insider. "It's so good. The cheapest menus I have ever seen."

Here are the food court menu options Costco employees love:

SEE ALSO: 30 Costco food court items you'd never guess were on the menu

DON'T MISS: Costco employees share their best food court secrets and hacks

DON'T FORGET: 11 insider facts about shopping at Costco only employees know

Pizza

"Costco's pizzas are pretty incredible considering the price," Costco worker Stefan Winter wrote on Quora. "Crust is yummy, toppings are good quality, what's not to love?"

A total of 2o other Costco employees told Business Insider that the pizza was their favorite food court item. Of those, three employees preferred the pepperoni pizza, while three went with the combo pizza.

"You get sick of the food after awhile, but the combo pizza is always my go-to," one Costco worker in Florida told Business Insider.

"I love the pepperoni pizza," another employee said. "It's very cheesy with nice and juicy crispy pepperonis."

The rest just chose "pizza."

"Fun fact: If you are ordering a whole cheese pizza pie it actually has just over a pound of cheese on it," said one employee who said they ate at the food court on a weekly basis.



The hot dog-and-soda combo

"The hot dog soda combo for $1.50 is a classic," one San Diego-based Costco employee told Business Insider.

Two other Costco employees concurred that the hot dog was their favorite food court item. An Oregon-based employee added that it was the best deal in the whole store.



Bratwurst

One Costco employee in Illinois told Business Insider that they liked the bratwurst and felt disappointed when their store got rid of it for chili.

Another worker who's been at Costco for 12 years told Business Insider that, while they didn't often eat at the food court, when they did, they opted for the bratwurst.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What it's like to use the Gravity Blanket, a $250 weighted blanket that's designed to reduce stress and help you sleep

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Gravity blanket

  • The Gravity Blanket is a weighted blanket that's intended to help you feel less stressed and sleep better.
  • The blanket began as a Kickstarter campaign, which raised more than $4.7 million. Now, Gravity says the blanket has netted more than $15 million in sales. 
  • I tested the blanket — along with Gravity's weighted sleep mask — for a few weeks and got some of the best sleep of my life. 
  • The Gravity Blanket helped my mind to stop racing and put me to sleep almost instantly.  

When first I got a Gravity Blanket to test out, I had big plans for turning it into a scientific experiment. 

I would wear an Apple Watch, I reasoned, to test how my heart rate responded to a weighted blanket. I planned to take notes about my mood and stress levels to measure whether the blanket could actually relax my central nervous system and calm me down. 

The problem is, I kept falling asleep. 

For anyone who hasn't heard of Gravity Blanket or weighted blankets in general, think of it like a Thundershirt for humans. The concept behind weighted blankets is that lying underneath constant and evenly distributed pressure will produce a calming and relaxing effect. Studies have shown that weighted vests or blankets can also help those with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, high anxiety, or insomnia

But at the most basic level, weighted blankets mostly just feel like a gentle hug. 

Gravity's version of the weighted blanket began as a Kickstarter project in 2017. Gravity raised more than $4.7 million from nearly 24,000 backers to create a plush, single-person blanket that weighs up to 25 pounds. 

Now, Gravity says it's sold more than 60,000 weighted blankets, resulting in $15 million in sales. Gravity has now expanded its product lineup to include a weighted sleep mask, a cooling blanket for those who "sleep hot," and a melatonin mist to help you fall asleep. 

I had the chance to test out the original $250 Gravity Blanket and the $30 weighted mask for a few weeks. I offered them up to friends, coworkers, and anyone who was willing to sit with a 20-pound blanket on top of them. For some people, the experience felt strange and uncomfortable. Others described it as "womb-like."

Me? I had some of the best naps of my life.

Gravity blanket

Size matters

The first and most important thing you need to know about the Gravity Blanket is that it comes in varying weights. The right blanket for you depends on your size, since it should be equivalent to about 10% of your body weight. 

Not realizing that, I went with the 20-pound blanket and after a few weeks of testing, found it to be slightly too heavy for me. For most adults, 20 pounds doesn't seem like that much, but it can be overwhelming when you're lying underneath it (or trying to schlep it home on the subway). 

The other thing to know about the blanket is that it's not the size of a full comforter or duvet, and it's not really meant to be shared. It won't replace your bedding — unless maybe you sleep in a twin bed — and it won't cover both you and a partner at the same time. 

Plus, at $250, it's one very pricey blanket. 

Gravity blanket

'It felt like I was in the womb'

All that aside, I was curious to see if a seemingly simple — albeit heavy — blanket would have the same effect that is usually found with pharmaceuticals or meditation. Could it really reduce stress and anxiety? Could it help me sleep?

I decided to offer up the Gravity Blanket to friends, my boyfriend, and coworkers. Let's just say that reactions were ... mixed.

"It feels like an animal is laying on you," one person said. 

"I feel relaxed!" another told me. "But maybe it's just a placebo effect?" 

A friend came over to my house to try it and informed me that the Gravity Blanket made him feel like he "was in the womb." 

"I ... am .... so ... content," he drowsily told me.

But for me, testing a Gravity Blanket was like taking a sleeping pill. 

I'm not someone who typically has a hard time falling or staying asleep — actually, sleeping is one of my favorite pastimes. But I'm not much of a napper, and I have a hard time taking "power naps" or falling asleep when it's still light out. 

The Gravity Blanket changed all that. 

Every time I went to go test the blanket, hoping to track how my heart rate changed or at least document how I was feeling, I passed right out. One night, I laid down with the blanket in the early evening and ended up sleeping under it all night. Another night, I used the blanket and sleep mask while in the throes of a migraine, hoping it might alleviate some of my symptoms — I slept for three hours and woke up with a much milder headache. 

Here's proof, kindly snapped by my boyfriend:

Gravity blanket

I haven't been able to try the blanket yet without passing out within moments, but it seems as though I've been reaping the benefits of a weighted blanket, even while asleep. My mind usually races when I'm lying in bed, and I tend to stress about everything from what I'm going to wear the next day, to trips I have planned months from now. The Gravity Blanket seemed to calm my mind enough that I fell asleep instantly, time and again. 

So while my tests certainly haven't been scientific, I can definitely say the Gravity Blanket helps me feel calm, relaxed — and very, very sleepy. 

SEE ALSO: The $120 Fire TV Cube might be the smartest Echo device Amazon has ever made — here's what it can do

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NOW WATCH: We tried gaming on the Samsung CHG90 ultrawide gaming monitor

Meet the rare liquor hunters who travel the world looking for priceless booze

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Beanie Espey (L) with her father James Espey (C) and Rebecca Jago - The Last Drop Distillers

  • Rebecca Jago and Beanie Espey might have the coolest job in the world — they're rare spirit hunters.
  • Their company, The Last Drop Distillers, sells bottles of rare spirits for thousands to high-profile clients and collectors.
  • Business Insider spoke to Jago about how she finds rare liquor and the business she's built around it.


Rebecca Jago was seven years old when her father, Tom Jago, created the first sample of Bailey's Irish Cream in their family kitchen.

"We knew that our father worked in a beautiful building and did something quite mysterious," Jago says.

But it was without the help of consultants and scientists that Jago senior mixed whisky, cream and chocolate Nesquik in a liquidiser to produce what has become a world-famous liqueur. 

"I remember his excitement vividly: he really felt he was on the verge of something groundbreaking.

"Even now, I never fail to feel a small thrill of pride and excitement when I say 'my father invented Bailey's Irish Cream'."

Rebecca Jago and Beanie Espey are businesswomen with a heritage of drinks industry royalty.

Rebecca Jago (L), Tom Jago (2nd L), Beanie Espey (2nd R) and James Espey (R).

Jago's father also launched Malibu rum, and Espey's father, James Espey, developed Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Chivas Regal 18-year-old whiskey.

When the fathers decided to hand down their own small drinks business to their daughters, it was an opportunity they couldn't refuse.

"We both love what we do but we also love that we're doing it with and for the men that had the original idea," says Jago.

The company, The Last Drop Distillers, aims "to find, and bottle, for the delectation of friends and connoisseurs alike, the world's finest, rarest and most exclusive spirits," according to their website.

The job of finding such spirits falls to Jago and Espey — who may just have the best occupations in the world.

One week they might be cruising through the winding lanes of rural Cognac on the way to an indiscriminate barn filled to the rafters with casks and demijohns of aged brandy. The next they'll be scouring the Douro Valley for a port so old that time (almost) forgot about it.

Beanie Espey (L) and Rebecca Jago (R), Joint Managing Directors of The Last Drop.

Rare spirit hunters can't just Google for priceless bottles — rumours reach them through their vast network of contacts, built up over two generations.

"Initially, they [Tom Jago and James Espey] had to hunt quite hard because nobody knew who they were or what they were doing," Jago says.

"But the more we go on, the more people are aware of what we're doing and the more we get tip-offs or someone will phone and say there's a cask here of something fabulous and I think it might suit The Last Drop."

The company likes to keep its offering exclusive, so only introduces new spirits to market one at a time, at a rate of little more than one per year.

Their next release came about simply as a product of lunch with one of Jago's esteemed contacts, who put her in touch with a man who claimed to have two casks of an extraordinary cognac from 1975.

So convinced was the owner of his beverage's quality that he served Jago a sample next to Remy Martin's Louis XIII — a bottle of which currently retails at £2,200 ($2,930).

"He was certain that it was more than good enough — and it was absolutely the best cognac I've ever tasted, so that was a sort of a no-brainer."

douro valley

Journeys to find extraordinary spirits don't always work out so well, though.

Jago recalls being back in Cognac with her father a couple of years ago for what sounded like an excellent opportunity: "We'd been told about a man who had this barn full of amazing cognac dating back to 1906 and beyond."

"Off we went on this beautiful day and drove with the owner down these lovely lanes in the middle of Cognac and we were really excited. And we got there and there's this barn full of casks and they're all labelled and you're thinking 'this is an amazing treasure trove'. We tasted some of it and thought 'wow this is incredible'."

But Jago has learnt never to make rash decisions based on one tasting alone — so they took the cognac back to London for the whole team to taste.

"In the cold light of day, sat in the office in Putney - they were horrible! Which just goes to show how influenced we all are by situations."

The Last Drop chooses to bottle less than five percent of what they taste. This level of scrutiny is imperative, Jago says, to maintain the reputation of the brand.

"We are so governed by our reputation that if we were ever to release anything that was below par: that's it. We don't have a 12-year-old mainstream release that keeps the coffers full, this is all we do. So, we have to be completely convinced that we've got a treasure before we bottle it."

Naturally, this level of rarity and quality comes at a price. The Last Drop's latest release, a 1968 single malt Glenrothes whisky, is currently selling at £5,400 ($6,250) per bottle.

The Last Drop's latest release, a 1968 Single Malt Glenrothes whisky

"We would never bottle anything we didn't think was exceptional," says Jago. "The prices we charge are fair for what we're selling and the reason it's expensive is because of the incredibly rigorous process we go through to select what we bottle... and because they're completely irreplaceable. Everything that we bottle is finite and limited."

"It's got to be old and rare and fresh and delicious — it's got to be all those things."

So what do people do with their limited edition liquor once they've parted with a significant sum of cash? According to Jago, some people like to collect the releases and store them away — but they'd rather they just drank it.

"We do not sell The Last Drop as an investment, we sell it as a wonderful experience and an irreplaceable experience. We want people to drink it because it's delicious, rather than buy it and not drink it."

SEE ALSO: This £13 whisky has been named among the best in the world

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Prime beef ribs worth £360 are cooked over an indoor fire pit in the middle of this London restaurant


Mistakes you're making buying, ordering, and drinking tequila — and how to do it the Mexican way

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tequila

  • Tequila gets a bad rep.
  • While artisan gins and spiced rums are now hugely popular, the evolution of tequila outside Mexico has lagged behind in comparison.
  • But the premium tequila movement is gaining traction.
  • Business Insider spoke to Chris Hare, brand manager of premium tequila brand Cazcabel.
  • Hare shared his tips with Business Insider on how to enjoy it the Mexican way.


Tequila gets a bad rep. The spirit is too often shot on a sticky dance floor at the end of the night — and it's rarely a refined affair.

While many bars now boast artisan gin menus, high-end vodkas, and a decent selection of spiced rums, the evolution of tequila outside of Mexico has lagged behind somewhat.

But the premium tequila movement is gaining traction. And, intriguingly, A-listers have been cashing-in on some of this action.

Clooney, with his close friend Rande Gerber, founded premium tequila brand Casamigos in 2013 and sold it on to Diageo last year under an agreement for up to $1 billion (£790 million). He was reportedly spotted serving this billion dollar tequila to guests at the royal wedding after party.

Justin Timberlake also has his own premium tequila brand, Sauza 901, as does P Diddy, with his acquired stake in DeLeón

Business Insider spoke to Chris Hare, brand manager of premium tequila brand Cazcabel. It produces tequila in an independent micro distillery in the town of Arandas, located in the highlands of the Jalisco mountains in Mexico.

Below is a bottle of Cazcabel's honey-infused tequila.

Hare said that he believes the reason tequila is one of the last spirits to be premiumised is because people just don't know what to do with it.

Since there are clearly some fancy tequilas on the market, we asked Hare where we're going wrong ordering, buying, and drinking tequila — and how to do it the Mexican way.

1. Most of what you've been drinking is probably not made from 100% blue agave, it's a "mixto."

Agave tequilana used to make tequila

Hare explained that a good tequila is made 100% from blue agave plants, but said that what most people have been drinking for years is probably a "mixto," which typically only has to contain 51% agave sugars, and the rest can be topped up with added sugars and syrups.

To know if yours is pure you should look for a sign that says "100% blue agave."

Most tequila is made in the state of Jalisco, either in the town that is called Tequila or up in the Jaliscan highlands, Los Altos.

Hare says that there is a microclimate in these mountains, where Cazcabel is also grown, which helps the blue agave plants to grow bigger, at a slower pace, with more flavour.

2. 'Gold' tequila isn't necessarily better.

tequila

Many people claim to prefer prefer "gold" or "brown" tequila, but Hare says the colour doesn't necessarily mean it's better.

There are many types of tequila. "Blanco," for example, also called "silver" or "white" tequila, is unaged and essentially represents tequila in its purest form. Then there's "reposado," a tequila that has a golden hue and has rested in oak barrels for up to 12 months (the first stage of ageing).

Anything that has rested over 12 months is known as an "añejo," which typically takes a darker colour than reposados, while anything that's aged over three years is "muy añejo." And they usually go up in price in that order.

But beware, "mixtos" are also typically golden in colour, this is usually the result of added caramel colourings or flavourings.

3. Good tequila can be expensive because it takes at least 7 years to grow an agave plant.

tequila 2It takes between seven and nine years to grow an agave plant, Hare said, sometimes even longer, up to 11 or 12.

Because it takes so long to grow the plants, there are occasional droughts that disrupt the supply chain and push the price up. "This is especially the case now in terms of supply and demand as demand is very high at the moment," Hare said.

So Hare advises against scrimping on a bottle, "anything below £20 ($27) is probably a mixto," he said.

4. Swap salt and lime for a typical Mexican chaser.

Tequila shots

Hare says that drinking tequila with salt and lemon is not a thing in Mexico and instead suggests that you try a traditional Mexican chaser with it.

A "sangrita," is made of juice from tomatoes, pomegranates, spices, and peppers. It's the same ingredients that make up typical salads in Jalisco, Hare said, and at the end of the day, it's customary to drain the leftover juice from the large salad bowls and pour it into a bottle to sip with your tequila as a chaser.

There's also the "verdita," which consists of pineapple juice, coriander, mint, and jalapeños that can also be enjoyed after your tequila to balance out the acidity.

5. Sip, don't shot.

Tequila Shots

In Mexico, it's all about sipping your tequila and enjoying it throughout the day with food. They use a slightly taller and wider glass than a typical 25ml shot glass you'd normally find in a bar — they call it a "cabellito" (little horse).

6. Don't serve it too cold.

While some people do prefer to drink their tequila cold, Hare recommends drinking it at room temperature to get the full range of flavours, just like you would red wine.

7. Nice tequila cocktails — other than 'margaritas' — do exist.

Other than the margarita, there aren't that many cocktails that you'd immediately associate with tequila, compared to the vast number of gin, vodka, and rum-based concoctions that are popular with drinkers.

If you're sticking to the margarita, Hare recommends mixing it up with some pink peppercorn or chipotle salt around the rim "it gives more of a tang," he says, but definitely don't use sugar.

You could also try a "paloma," which is made with tequila, grapefruit, soda, and sugar. The "matador," an old classic, is another option that consists of tequila, pineapple juice, and lime, according to Hare.

8. Tequila is said to be an "upper."

If you're prone to the gin blues, tequila, unlike other other spirits, is said to be an "upper," and many have claimed that it can give feelings of euphoria.

Even better, while bad tequila is known to be the cause of nightmarish hangovers, Hare claims it is possible to enjoy tequila throughout the night — responsibly of course – and not have a dreadful hangover. But — yes, you guessed it — you first need a decent bottle of tequila, then stick to sipping just that all night.

couple drinking water fun summer party

SEE ALSO: The 9 mistakes people make when buying, ordering, and drinking gin — and what to do instead

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NOW WATCH: Prime beef ribs worth £360 are cooked over an indoor fire pit in the middle of this London restaurant

The 30 best-selling cocktails in the world in 2018

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sidecar cocktail

From floral touches to smoke and fog, there seems to always be a new trend in the world of booze — but some cocktails simply stand the test of time.

Drinks International has released its list of the best-selling cocktails around the world in 2018, and it proves that most of today's popular drinks are new takes on the classics.

The website compiled the list by asking 106 of the best bars in the world — using the results of the World's 50 Best Bars list — to rank their 10 best-selling cocktails.

From Sidecars to Sazeracs, scroll down to see the 30 best-selling cocktails in the world, ranked in ascending order.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best-selling cocktails in the world in 2017

SEE ALSO: The biggest mistake people make when drinking wine is choosing the wrong glass — here's exactly how to drink Bordeaux, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and pinot noir

30. Gimlet. Down 14 places since last year, this drink is essentially gin and juice — a 75/25 gin-to-lime-cordial ratio is what's most common.



29. Champagne Cocktail. There are variations of this drink, but they all aim to make fizz even more fancy. To make it, cover a sugar cube with bitters then pour Champagne over that.



28. French 75. Up two places since last year, this cocktail — made popular in Paris in the 20s — is made with London dry gin, lemon juice, sugar, and Champagne.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

This is the one thing you should never do when wearing a pocket square, according to men's style experts

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David Gandy attends the Huntsman and The Gentleman's Journal LCM Cocktail Evening on June 11, 2016 in London, England.

  • It's not just the suit that counts, it's how you wear it.
  • "A nice shirt, tie, and pocket square can change the look," tailor Will Davison says.
  • However, a nice suit can be ruined by matching accessories.


Sometimes, it's not enough just to own a nice suit— it's how you wear it that counts.

Luckily, this doesn't have to mean spending a fortune at a tailor, and accessorising well can help upgrade a look effortlessly.

According to tailor Will Davison, "A nice shirt, tie, and pocket square can change the look."

However, the co-founder of Jack Davison Bespoke told Business Insider that there's one mistake guys often make — and that's matching the pattern of their pocket square exactly to their tie.

"Lots of people get hung up on having a matching tie and a matching pocket square, but we don't personally like it," Davison says.

Instead, he suggests: "Pick out a colour from the tie or the suit and have that in the pocket square so they're similar tones to each other but not completely matching."

Jack Stammers (L) and Will Davison (R) of Jack Davison Bespoke.

The City of London tailors aren't the only ones to have a distaste for matching accessories.

"One of the big pocket square no-nos for me is when they directly match the tie like they came together in a set," Dan Rookwood, US Editor at Mr Porter, told FashionBeans. 

"A pocket square should be used to add some interest in terms of colour and/or pattern," he added.

how to wear a pocket square graphic

Pocket square makers Rampley & Co agree.

"If your pocket square has a pattern or print, for example, then pick a colour from that palette to bring your look together and match it to a primary colour in your ties," they say on their website.

In short, your pocket square should complement your look — not match or clash with it.

SEE ALSO: This is the suit you should build your wardrobe around, according to the tailor duo who dress celebrities and City of London bankers

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NOW WATCH: This glassblowing master sculpts incredibly realistic animals out of glass

A boat architect modeled his 250-square-foot tiny home after a lunar lander and it's just as cool as it sounds

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lunar lander tiny home diy washington 2

Tiny homes aren't anything new. Tiny homes that look like spaceships might be, though. 

Take, for example, one such dwelling in Central Washington, modeled after a lunar lander — a spacecraft used by astronauts to descend onto the moon's surface, most famously during the historic Apollo 11 landing. 

This one will have a slightly less cosmic purpose. 

Kurt Hughes took his three decades of boat designing and tried his hand at home building to produce the 250-square-foot white hexagonal hut. He runs a ship design business full-time in Seattle, so the lunar module will be used for weekend trips and creative respites, Hughes told The Seattle Times. He hasn't been to space so far, but who knows what the future holds?

Take a look inside his intergalactic pied-à-terre.

SEE ALSO: Designed for a community of tech elites, these tiny homes are 3D printed, run by Tesla batteries, and cost $250,000

Hughes got the idea to build his lander home 10 years ago, when his daughter attended space camp at Seattle's Museum of Flight. Hughes sketched a lunar lander for her, and she ended up getting it signed by Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise.

Haise reportedly described the accommodations of the real-life lunar lander as "pretty comfortable." And so the idea was born.

Source: The Seattle Times



Hughes wanted to honor that era of wonder and space exploration with his tiny home. Mid-century touches and color schemes are found inside.

For the house number, Hughes even used a font called American Captain Patrius that mirrors the lettering on the original Apollo vessels.

Source: The Seattle Times



He positioned the 3,000-pound, hexagon-shaped home on the Columbia River bank in Central Washington, aiming to make as little impact on the environment as possible.

A small deck on the upper level overlooks the river bank.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A new feature in the next iPhone software is going to shock people — it surprised even Apple's CEO (AAPL)

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Tim Cook looking at iMac Retina display

  • A new feature in the iPhone operating system shows how much time you spend on your phone.
  • You'll be able to download it this fall. 
  • People are going to be shocked about the number of hours per day they spend on their phone.

I've never had a software update cause me to rethink my lifestyle, but the latest version of the iPhone operating system forced me to take a hard look at myself — and my relationship with my iPhone.

And when everyone gets access to iOS 12 this fall, it's going to surprise millions of people. 

Tucked into the updated iPhone settings menu is a new collection of features called Screen Time. It collects data on how many times you use your phone and how many times you pick it up. It also includes statistics on which apps you use most, and how many notifications you receive. Apple Screen Time

Reader, I was shocked. This week, I picked up my phone about 248 times per day on average. I use my phone for so many hours on a daily basis I'm embarrassed to share the exact number, but it's upwards of 5 hours.

Before I looked at these stats, I didn't think I had a phone problem. I've actively tried to limit notifications, and I try really hard not to check my phone during meetings or conversations, so I'm not being rude to people around me.

I'm still not sure if I have a phone problem, but I may simply be in denial. The fact is that I'm using my phone for a huge number of my waking hours — a way higher percentage than I would have guessed without these stats. 

Not alone 

I'm not alone in being surprised at the statistics in Apple's Screen Time feature. At Apple's annual developer conference, which took place in San Jose, California earlier this month, hundreds of software engineers downloaded and installed the beta version of iOS with Screen Time, and many of them were surprised too.

The Screen Time feature was a common topic of conversation among the people who had travelled to California to learn how to best make software for Apple computers. But like myself, many attendees who would discuss phone overuse in general were also hesitant to share their official stats, as if they were an embarrassing secret. 

Even Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, said that the numbers surprised him.  

"I've been using it and I have to tell you: I thought I was fairly disciplined about this. And I was wrong," Cook said in an interview with CNN. "When I began to get the data, I found I was spending a lot more time than I should."

Which apps was he using the most? 

"I don't want to give you all the apps. But too much. And the number of times I picked up the phone were too many," Cook continued. "I also found the number of notifications I was getting just didn't make sense anymore. You know, Notifications started out as something to tell you about something really important happening. And all too often now, it's like everything is important."

According to Cook, though, Apple isn't worried that giving this information to users could impact Apple's business.

Screen Time limit"We've never been focused on usage as a key parameter. We want people to be incredibly satisfied, and empowered by our devices that we ship," Cook said in the CNN interview. "But we've never wanted people to spend a lot of time, or all their time, on them. It's a personal thing about how much is too much. "

Changing standards

There is some hope that Apple's new features — as well as similar updates from Google— may start changing the focus around digital health and and shifting cultural assumptions and conventions. 

"This will set a new direction and new race to the top for who cares more about protecting human values," Tristan Harris, a former Google designer who has become a digital health activist, tweeted after Apple announced Screen Time.

But now, the features seem to be advisory. They're tools to assess your phone usage, not to fix it. They're not going to change people's habits by themselves. 

I turned on a Screen Time feature called Downtime. By default, after 10 p.m. it locked me out of every app that wasn't a core feature like calls and texts, including all games and all social networks. I couldn't check Twitter or use Safari until the morning. In practice, it's a lot like a stripped-down "essential mode" suggested by several groups, including Stanford Students Against Addictive Devices

For me, it worked — for the most part I didn't use my phone after 10. But I ended up checking Twitter or playing games on my laptop or iPad instead. There was also an option to ignore the time limit and use a blocked app anyway, although I never did.

"The problem lies more in the social expectations around how we all participate in these behaviors," said Alana Harvey, a co-founder of Flipd, an app that locks people out of distracting apps. "Spending way too much time on social media, caring too much about social media, caring too much responding really quickly to people, Googling things rather that sitting and having a debate."

"There are going to be all these features, but are they going to assist with helping people actually getting off their phones and do something better with their time?" she asked. "At the end of the day, it's very much in a user's hands to make those decisions."

In my weeklong experience with Screen Time, I realized that the features by themselves aren't going to reduce a heavy user's daily time, although Apple's Screen Time does let you set time limits (that the user can override.) But just knowing the scope of the problem is the first step. 

"Empowering people with the facts, will allow them to decide themselves how they want to cut back, or if they want to cut back," Cook said in the CNN interview. 

For me, the facts have told me that I need to cut back. We'll see if iOS 12 this fall prompts millions of others to do the same. 

SEE ALSO: Apple is planning 3 new iPhone models this year

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How Apple can fix HomePod and Siri

6 ways American fathers are doing better than their dads before them

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father daughter son

It might be time to give your dad some credit.

Because, according to a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center, chances are he's doing a pretty good job.

While experiences and cultural standards about fatherhood vary, it's still one of the hardest jobs a man can have in his lifetime. 

The traditional American family is changing in surprising ways, and the role of the modern father is evolving as well. Today, dads are more involved, more engaged, and less concerned about the "Brady Bunch"-style vision of the American dad.

In honor of Father's Day, here are 6 ways that fathers have been stepping it up in America in big ways.

SEE ALSO: A tech CEO's experience as a single dad convinced him to overhaul his $3 billion company’s benefits

They spend more time with their kids, but still say it's not enough

According to the report, 46% of fathers say they spend more time with their kids than their parents did with them. That means that just one generation of fatherhood has drastically changed the amount of engagement between father and child.

And 48% of fathers in the study still thought they didn't spend enough time with their kids in general, suggesting they are more concerned with fostering a healthy relationship through bonding time and shared interests, apparently even enjoying shopping together.



They are more concerned about work-life balance

Many working fathers feel the struggle of balancing work and parenting, with 52% of fathers saying it's a challenge to juggle the responsibilities of work and family and 29% saying they always feel rushed to fit it all in. In 1977, only 35% of fathers reported having problems balancing work and family.  

It's still relatively new for companies to offer decent parental leave for fathers after becoming parents, but some companies are leading the way in providing new dads with some quality time with their newborns. 

 



They aren't always the sole breadwinner anymore

About two-thirds of households today are dual-earner families. In 1970, there were about 25% less than that. Having two income earners has allowed parents to more comfortably split their time raising their children and working, allowing dads to spend more time with their kids than 50 years ago.  

The percentage of working mothers has steadily risen in the past 10 years, challenging the idea that women should stay home and men should be the primary breadwinner. The American Psychological Association found that two-income families can be happier and healthier due to a more balanced lifestyle.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A 28-year-old entrepreneur reveals how she snagged $66 million and 10 term sheets in 5 days

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cofounders of front mathilde collin laurent perrin

  • Raising venture capital for a startup is no cakewalk. There are high stakes, probing questions from investors, and pressure from employees to return to the office with a term sheet.
  • So it's noteworthy that Mathilde Collin, the 28-year-old cofounder and CEO of the shared-inbox app Front, snagged $66 million and 10 investment offers in five days.
  • Collin shared with us her best advice for raising venture capital. 

When Mathilde Collin, a 28-year-old entrepreneur, was ready to start raising venture capital for her company's series B round, she made a ground rule for herself.

Collin scheduled all meetings with investors for one week.

Having a short window creates a little competition among the venture capitalists, who might offer more attractive deals if the company is hot and time is wasting. For Collin, setting a deadline for herself was simply about speeding up the process.

"I don't necessarily like raising funding," Collin told Business Insider.

She might not like it, but she's arguably very good at it. In January, her company, the shared-inbox platform Front, raised $66 million in a series B round led by Sequoia Capital. During her five-day fundraising binge, Collin snagged 10 term sheets, or investment offers, from 11 of the investors she pitched — an impressive achievement for a first-time founder.

Front has raised a total of $79 million to change the way teams get work done. The startup makes an app that lets teams handle messages from email, texts, Slack, and social media, all in one place. More than 3,000 businesses around the world use Front.

Here's how she did it

Raising venture capital for a startup is no cakewalk. There are high stakes, probing questions from investors, and pressure from employees to return to the office with a term sheet.

Collin said that before an entrepreneur takes the plunge, they should think critically about whether they're ready to raise funding.

Front wasn't strapped for cash. The company managed to burn only $3 million from a $10 million series A round in 2016, and Front is already making money as a paid service for enterprises.

front app screenshots

Still, Collin said she wanted to grow Front more quickly and hire a significant number of engineers. She decided she was ready to raise when Front ended three consecutive quarters during which revenue, app usage, and employee headcount all increased and sustained their growth — though Collin admits that part of the decision came down to a feeling.

She worked with employees on the data and business operations team to put together a pitch deck, a presentation that entrepreneurs give to investors when seeking a round of funding. In about 24 slides, the pitch deck told the complete story of Front. It addressed the pain points that Front aims to solve, the achievements of the company so far, and the long-term vision of how Front wants to reinvent email.

The pitch deck was also chock-full of data and insights, such as annual recurring revenue, the number of employees who have left Front so far (zero), and its marketing spend.

According to Collin, the investors she pitched seemed to be most impressed with three key metrics: efficiency, consistency, and net retention rate.

  • Front is building a successful business without blowing through all its cash. Collin's pitch deck demonstrated a track record of capital efficiency by sharing how much money the company had raised to date (about $13 million between seed financing and series A), how much cash it had left ($7 million before the series B), and how long it could survive with 0% growth, also known as runway (18 months).
  • The company is growing and sustaining that growth. Front is seeing explosive growth across revenue, app usage (messages sent and comments written), and the number of large teams using the app. Collin pointed out that there were no major dips across these metrics from one quarter to the next.
  • People like using Front. The pitch deck showed that while revenue is increasing, churn keeps trending down, meaning the rate at which existing customers cancel their Front subscriptions is falling. They also use the app more over time.

With these facts and figures in mind, Collin wowed several Silicon Valley investors. Participating in the company's series B round was actually so competitive that partners of Sequoia Capital built a custom Lego set to persuade Collin, a known Lego enthusiast, to accept their offer. The top-tier venture firm wound up leading the $66 million round.

Collin said that ultimately she was successful in fundraising because Front is a good idea.

"Investors are driven by the fear of missing out — and if Front is successful, then Front will be very successful, because everyone uses email," Collin said. "Everyone needs a tool like this."

SEE ALSO: 10 new tech trends that VC investors say will completely change life and business in the next 4 years

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'Incredibles 2' earns the biggest opening weekend ever for an animated movie with $180 million (DIS)

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the incredibles 2

  • Disney/Pixar's "Incredible 2" took in an estimated $180 million.
  • That's the best opening ever for an animated release.
  • It passed 2016's "Finding Dory" ($135 million).

Pixar — and the superhero Parr family — has put Disney back on top.

Following a little speed bump with the lackluster release of "Solo: A Star Wars Story," the house that Mickey Mouse built has rebounded quite nicely with the record-breaking opening for "Incredibles 2."

The movie took in an estimated $180 million over the weekend, according to BoxOfficePro.com. That destroys the $135 million opening by the previous record holder, 2016's "Finding Dory."

And like "Dory," which was released 13 years after its original, "Finding Nemo," the long wait for a sequel to "Incredibles" didn't hurt mass audience interest. Fourteen years after the original "Incredibles," the movie sucked up all the box office this weekend, attracting not just kids (many who weren't around for the opening of the original movie), but their parents as well.

"Incredibles 2" also beat "Finding Dory" to become the second-biggest opening of all time in the month of June (behind the $208.8 million by 2015's "Jurassic World").

The movie's $71.5 million opening day tally on Friday (including a record-breaking $18.5 million in Thursday preview screenings) also shattered the best single day at the box office for an animated movie, again passing "Finding Dory" ($54.7 million).

The summer movie season will potentially continue to bring in more major coin next weekend with Universal's "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" hits theaters domestically. The movie has already had an impressive overseas run, having made $300 million so far, topped by an impressive opening this weekend in China.

SEE ALSO: The 29 most rewatchable movies of all time

SEE ALSO: 15 adults who are way too excited to see 'Incredibles 2' this weekend

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Generation Z is obsessed with this $20-a-year Instagram alternative because it doesn't have any ads

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vsco collage 1

  • Photo-editing app VSCO has surpassed one million paid users.
  • It's one of the fastest-growing subscription-based businesses in the world, in spite of fierce competition from lots of free apps and Instagram.
  • The CEO of VSCO says Generation Z is driving the app's explosive growth.

Every day more than 95 million photos are shared to Instagram. It's a juggernaut in the field of social networks, with more than 800 million monthly active users.

So it's noteworthy that an Instagram alternative called VSCO has surpassed one million paid users for VSCO X, its subscription service launched in early 2017.

The app's rapid trajectory makes it one of the fastest growing subscription-based businesses in the world, and has helped grow VSCO's revenue 91% year over year in 2017. It's on track to increase revenue 100% this year, according to the company.

A subscription to VSCO X, which unlocks exclusive photo-editing tools and tutorials, costs $19.99 a year. That might not sound like much, but consider that there are dozens of free apps like it, and Instagram has its own suite of filters and tools that let users play with their photos and share with family and friends without ever having to leave the app.

As it turns out, it's Generation Z that's helping VSCO X rocket up the charts.

People under the age of 25 make up nearly 75% of all VSCO users, with Generation Z accounting for the largest segment of paid customers on VSCO X, according to the company. The fastest growing group of VSCO users are between the ages of 13 and 17.

vsco collage 2

There was a period of time when this surprised founder and CEO Joel Flory, a former wedding photographer who started the company in 2011 with an art-director friend.

"We were building [the product] for ourselves and realized that we no longer were the majority of users on VSCO," Flory told Business Insider at the startup's headquarters in Oakland.

From the beginning, VSCO set itself apart from rival photo apps and social networks by doing away with "vanity metrics," such as likes, comments, and follower counts. There are no ads or leadersboard, but instead, a feed of carefully curated content.

"For us, the only thing we wanted to show with the photo is the person who made it. That's really what we wanted it to be about," Flory said.

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According to Flory, this focus on the creator really resonated with Generation Z. With the launch of a subscription service, VSCO learned that young people were even willing to pay for tools in an app space that let them "be who they are ... try new things," without the pressure and anxiety around building a following and collecting likes.

Born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s, Generation Z is building a reputation as the most socially conscious age group. A recent white paper from MNI Targeted Media Inc., a division of the Meredith Corporation, found that more than half of Generation Z say that knowing a brand has strong values and is "doing their part to make the world a better place" is important to them and directly influences their buying decisions.

"This generation makes sophisticated choices about identity, purpose, and values," researchers at the firm said. "They've spent their lives surrounded by digital content and they know how to filter anything that lacks the right tone, language, and relevancy."

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VSCO is the fifth most popular photo and video app for iPhones in the US, according to app market data company App Annie, behind YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and Google Photos, in that order. Its ranking by monthly active users has been rising over the last year, while Instagram's rank remains stable. Flory has largely Generation Z to thank.

The team at VSCO is constantly adding new filters, photo-editing tools, and educational content to the VSCO X platform so that the value of their subscription builds all the time.

"It's really about providing the ultimate experience for that creative," Flory said. "For us, it's not about some other company's way. It's about the VSCO way."

SEE ALSO: 37 incredible drone photos from across the globe that would be totally illegal today

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The 29 most rewatchable movies of all time

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raiders of the lost ark

These are the movies that you can never escape — and that's not a bad thing.

They are the movies that you stop everything to watch, can get sucked into even if it's halfway through, and know every single line of.

These are the best rewatchable movies.

From Steven Spielberg classics, like "Jaws" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark," to romantic comedies, such as "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "Hitch," to classics, like "The Godfather" and "Toy Story," these are the titles that keep us in love with movies.

Here are the 29 most rewatchable movies of all time:

SEE ALSO: 'The Staircase' is Netflix's latest addictive true-crime series that will keep you guessing

"A Christmas Story" (1983)

Perhaps it's because of the 24-hour marathon of the movie on TV every Christmas, but Bob Clark's adaptation of Jean Shepherd's stories is a nostalgic look at the holidays and childhood that never gets old no matter how many times you watch it (even in one sitting during Christmas Day).



"Back to the Future" (1985)

From the premise to the performances to the soundtrack, everything about Robert Zemeckis' classic makes it a movie that you can never get tired of.



"Big" (1988)

The playfulness of Tom Hanks playing a teenager in an adult's body is the essence of this movie and a joy to watch, even decades later.



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I'm raising my son with very limited technology — here's how I do it

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Technology

  • Technology can have serious effects on our health, and Americans consume over 10 hours of media per day.
  • Living technology-free is nearly impossible in this day and age, yet my wife and I decided to raise our son with very limited technology to avoid these risks.
  • Here's how we're raising our son with very little technology.

 

In today's world, it's nearly impossible for anyone to live technology-free. The more pressing issue is how much time people spend in front of a screen — especially our children.

I watched way too much television growing up, got sucked into the rabbit hole of AOL chat rooms, and played Heretic online in high school. And now, as a writer and editor, I stare into a screen all day every day.

When our son was born, my wife and I agreed he would not be exposed to any screens until he was two years old — and even then we were skittish.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests limiting screen time to one hour per day of high-quality programming from ages two through five. Kids ages six and older should have "consistent limits" on time spent with screens, set by parents.

When our son was approaching age 3, we gradually introduced clips from age-appropriate quality television programming: "Curious George" (which is designed to help kids learn) and "Thomas & Friends." He watched these on my laptop.

As my son grew older, watching these clips became part of his bedtime routine. Soon, the clips turned into episodes. We would watch an episode of "Curious George," which is two 12-minute episodes in one, with closed captions on. My wife and I would watch with him. To transition him to brushing teeth or reading books, we'd remind him that after the second episode, we'd move on in his routine.

It wasn't until our son turned five that he started watching movies at home. First up, "Ghostbusters" (the original!). Now, we find ourselves watching one movie every weekend: "Captain Underpants," the "Lego" movies, and "Night at the Museum," to name a few.

At his sixth-year checkup this year, I asked our pediatrician about watching television and movies. As a "Star Wars" fan himself, he couldn't say no to our letting him watch it.

He said that healthy viewing habits come down to two questions:

  1. Is the program age-appropriate / do you feel comfortable with him watching it?
  2. Are you watching it with him?

The latter, co-watching, is helpful because you know what they're viewing and can turn it into a way for your child to learn. (We started playing a series of "Star Wars" trivia games, for example.)

Moderating tech use in a sea of screens

As a parent, I watch my own screen time as much as I do my son's.

When I'm at the playground, I actually play with my child, or if I'm speaking with another parent, I have my eyes locked on his location. As I scan the playground for my son, I often see other parents sitting on benches with their heads down, staring at their phones.

Schools are a sea of screens, as well. Every classroom at my son's public school has a smartboard, and they're often used to watch videos. What happened to teachers teaching? My wife and I have already committed to sending him to a different school, still in our neighborhood, where not one smartboard exists and children get to interact more freely with one another.  

Additionally, Cleveland Clinic recently reported that a study found up to 42% of children have access to tablets, which may be contributing to eye strain and nearsightedness in children. "Nearsightedness progression is far more detrimental to children at a young age because this is when they're developing their eyes and their eyes are still growing, especially kids in their teens and preteen years," Dr. Mariana Eisenberg, of Cleveland Clinic, said.

As parents, we have to understand how detrimental too much screen time can be. American adults are already consuming over 10 hours worth of media a day, CNN reported. It's common to see parents use iPads and other devices to keep their children occupied during dinner at a restaurant. Why can't parents draw with them, read them a book, play I-Spy, or let the kids play with cars?

There are times, like traveling, when you need to cut yourself and your child some slack and simply give in to temptation. However, as with anything you want your child to do, it's all about modeling the behavior. So, if you want to limit your child's screen time, think about unplugging yourself.

SEE ALSO: 4 reasons I gave up Facebook — and why I'm not going back

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14 successful people share the best advice they ever got from their dads

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Bill Gates

  • Father's Day has arrived in the United States.
  • Dads love to give advice. And, sometimes, it turns out to be pretty great advice.
  • Check out these insights from the fathers of people who went on to succeed in business.


Father's Day is here in the US. Time to contemplate everything your dad has done for you — and maybe even reflect on his advice and insight.

You never know. Your dad's classic mantra might turn out to be words to live by. Plenty of famous success stories have had great results with taking such paternal gems to heart.

In honor of Father's Day, we've collected the best advice super-successful business leaders ever got from their dads.

Here's the fatherly wisdom:

SEE ALSO: A tech CEO's experience as a single dad convinced him to overhaul his $3 billion company’s benefits

Meg Whitman: Be nice

While "be nice" may sound like a platitude, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO said it's some of the most important advice she ever got. 

"I'll never forget my father telling me that," Whitman recalled in Fortune in 2005. "I had been mean to someone. He said, 'There is no point in being mean to anyone at any time. You never know who you're going to meet later in life. And by the way, you don't change anything by being mean. Usually you don't get anywhere.'"



T. Boone Pickens: Have a plan

The chairman of BP Capital Management was a student at Oklahoma State when his dad arrived on campus for his fraternity initiation — and delivered a life-changing message.

"A fool with a plan can outsmart a genius with no plan any day," he told Pickens. "And your mother and I think we have a fool with no plan. We think you're wasting your time here in Stillwater. You're not getting anywhere."

His dad was right, Pickens wrote on LinkedIn in 2014. "I had to admit I wasn't burning up the place." But within a month of that visit, everything changed. He picked a track and switched his major. "I got a plan," he says, "and I've had one ever since."



Bill Gates: Do what you're not good at

These days, the former Microsoft CEO and his lawyer father give each other advice as cochairs of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, but back in the day, the elder Gates was the one doling out counsel to his son. 

The most important lesson Gates ever learned from his dad? Invest in things — even if you're not good at them.

In a 2009 conversation with Fortune, he recalled that both his parents encouraged him to "to go out for a lot of different sports like swimming, football, soccer," he says. "At the time I thought it was kind of pointless, but it ended up really exposing me to leadership opportunities and showing me that I wasn't good at a lot of things, instead of sticking to things that I was comfortable with."

His father agrees that those early forced softball team memberships seem to have worked out okay. "Apparently it turned out to be good advice."



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