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Bloomberg Calls For All Frats To Be Abolished

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Penn State Students Drinking

A new editorial from Bloomberg View calls for the end of student Greek life, arguing that "the fraternities that dominate so much of collegiate social life are of dubious value."

This editorial follows a number of strong Bloomberg News investigations into some of the nastier parts of Greek life — including supposedly special treatment for brothers applying to jobs, widespread hazing in the fraternity system, and political lobbying groups aimed at protecting fraternities interests, even against proposed safety measures. 

Bloomberg seems to have found even more reasons to get rid of fraternities, citing one study that found that students in fraternities are twice as likely to binge drink as non-affiliated students.

However, one of the most startling statistics in the editorial is from a trend that was tragically confirmed again last month— student deaths from hazing. According to Bloomberg, there has been at least one fraternity hazing death every year for the past 43 years.

While hazing is illegal in the majority of the country, Bloomberg notes, "the existing laws are largely ineffectual or treat hazing as little more than jaywalking."

The core of their argument, though, seems to be based on a simplified definition of a college's mission as purely educational and, more specifically, the type of education that is found in the classroom. In this understanding of collegiate life — one that centers around the classroom — "fraternities are at odds with the mission of a college or university."

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Here Are 7 Cooking Tips Every Beginner Needs To Know

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cooking in kitchen

Learning to cook doesn't have to be intimidating. 

If you're eager to make your own food, there are a few essential tips to keep in mind. 

We browsed a Quora thread on the best cooking tips for amateurs, and chose our favorites. 

1. Fresh ingredients really do make a difference. Shelling out for fresh herbs or produce is well worth the reward, cooking enthusiast Matt Wasserman. 

2. Be vigilant about sharpening knives. "It's the dull knives that will get you," part-time chef Richard Schwartz shares. Sharp knives also reduce the time you'll spend prepping ingredients. 

3. If your dish is bland, try adding a bit of lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar. This will usually give the dish the complexity you're looking for, writes experienced cook Carolyn Cho. 

4. Start with soup, advance to baking. "Baking requires attention to detail, at least to begin with; making soup is more free-form," writes Erika Tassell

5. Lay out all your ingredients before you start. You can place the ingredients on wax paper, so they are on hand as you need them, writes experienced cook Bernadine Schockmel. 

6. Make sure you use some fat. "Oils and butters taste great and help to unlock and transmit other flavors," writes Michael Swanander. 

7. Be careful with the seasonings. "It is better to under season foods, rather than to over season.  One can be fixed, the other cannot," writes Food Network enthusiast Garrick Saito

SEE ALSO: Professional Chefs Reveals The Most Common Amateur Mistakes

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The 18 Most Famous Students In College This Semester

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corinne bishop jamie foxx

The spring semester has started, and college students across the country are returning to campus refreshed and rejuvenated.

Not everyone spent Winter Break sleeping in though.

Corinne Foxx, Jamie Foxx's daughter, rang in the New Year with Beyoncé.

"Hunger Games" actress Jacqueline Emerson jetted off to Germany to visit her dad, the country's new U.S. Ambassador.

And now it's back to hitting the books, all while juggling life in the public eye. 

See which celebrities' sons and daughters — plus a few stars in their own right — are attending college this semester.

Alexander Ludwig

College: University of Southern California

Year: Junior

Canadian actor Alexander Ludwig played the ruthless District 2 tribute Cato in the first "Hunger Games" movie. (He's the one who fights Peeta and Katniss on top of the cornucopia in the final fight scene.)

A Phi Kappa Psi brother and theater major, Ludwig belongs to one of USC's most exclusive fraternities, which has a reputation for throwing the year’s wildest parties.



Billie Lourd

College: New York University

Year: Senior

Carrie Fisher's little princess is following in mom's career path. According to her LinkedIn profile, Lourd has interned with HBO Documentary Films and Another Planet Entertainment. She told her mom that if Fisher's semi-autobiographical novel, "The Best Awful," gets optioned as a movie, she wants to play herself.

She also volunteered with the Obama for American campaign.



Chiara de Blasio

College: Santa Clara University

Year: Junior

During her father Bill de Blasio's mayoral campaign, the 19-year-old starred in an advertisement and made a dramatic, surprise return from college to cast a vote for him.

The floral-headband-wearing hipster recently made headlines of her own with a powerfully candid video about her struggles with depression, and history of drug and alcohol abuse.



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Massachusetts Dad Has Been Drawing Ridiculously Cool Pictures On His Kids' Sandwich Bags Since 2008 [PHOTOS]

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keeping cool

School lunches can be so boring.

But David Laferriere, a father of two from Massachusetts, keeps things entertaining by drawing a picture on his sons' sandwich bags almost every morning after he makes their lunch. 

LaFerriere, an illustrator and graphic designer, started doodling on lunch bags in May 2008. He posted the designs to Flickr since the sandwich bags get thrown out, he explained in a video feature for the website.

Five years later, LaFerriere has decorated close to 2,000 sandwich bags. It's a morning ritual he plans to continue until his youngest son, now 14, heads off to college, LaFerriere told Business Insider through email. LaFerriere's other son is 15. 

LaFerriere uses Sharpies to draw on the sandwich once it's inside the bag. The drawings don't take very long.

"It's rare that I go over 5 minutes since time is tight," he wrote.  

Some of his favorite things to draw are monsters, robots, chickens, birds, squirrels, and worms. "I really like the ones that incorporate the shape of the bread or a bubble."

You can see some of our favorite sandwich bag art in the following slideshow and visit LaFerriere's Flickr page to see all of his work. 

"Chicken fishing"



"Christmas tree"



"Leftover pumpkin pie"



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Rest Easy Wall Street, The Beloved Restaurant You Just Lost Is Now In Incredible Hands

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chef michael white

This is how you go from a mild depression to complete and total elation.

Earlier this week we pointed out that two of Wall Street's favorite hangs — nightclub SL and restaurant Park Avenue Winter — had quietly closed over the holiday break.

Now, happily, Eater has informed us that the Park Avenue Winter space has a new occupant, and it's a chef Wall Street knows and loves.

Ladies and Gentlemen... it's Michael White and the Altamarea Group.

If anyone knows how to open a restaurant in Manhattan right now, it's these guys. In 2013 alone they opened Costata, The Butterfly and Ristorante Morini — and of course they've got restaurants around the world as well, in cities like London and Istanbul.

For all the newbies, understand that White's restaurants are Wall Street staples. It's well documented that he and his staff follow the finance and understand their banker customers. And who doesn't like a little personal attention?

One example — Pershing Square's Bill Ackman is a well-known regular at Marea, a restaurant that Altamarea opened in 2009 and has remained a banker favorite since.

That doesn't mean that his arch nemesis, Carl Icahn doesn't go eat there every now and again. As such, adjustments must me be made.

From the NYT back in 2012 (before Icahn got on TV and called Ackman a "cry baby" after he took the other side of Ackman's Herbalife short, you'll note):

At Marea, Michael White’s Italian restaurant on Central Park South, for instance, the hedge fund manager William A. Ackman is a regular and one of many customers who rates an NR, never refuse. What the computer does not say (but the general manager, Rocky Cirino, knows) is that servers can never seat Mr. Ackman next to Carl C. Icahn, another big Wall Street name. The two have sued each other.

Ah and what a lawsuit it was... "schmuck insurance", a 7 year battle in court, and a public confrontation at a Midtown restaurant (Il Tinello, where "Pasta Alla Icahn" is on the menu).

So stop wallowing and be pumped about what's going to happen to Park Avenue Winter, Wall Street — White's going to keep taking care of you guys.

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This $8,000 Bed Tells You How You Sleep And Offers Full Body Massages

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Sleep Number has introduced their new x12 bed, billed as "the most technologically advanced bed in the world."

Why We Love It: The x12 integrates SleepIQ technology, which monitors stats like average breathing rate, movement, and average heart rate while you sleep (without any wearable devices or extra cords). By collecting this data, the x12 can identify things to change in your daily routine so you get a better night's rest.

The bed also connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth so you can keep track of your sleep score. It can give a full-body massage, and can program bedside lamps to go off at a certain time. 

The x12 has even solved the problem of the perpetual snorer. The "Partner Snore" button on the universal remote will tilt your partner's side of the bed six degrees upward, putting them at an angle where they're likely to stop their heavy breathing right away. 

Or, if the remote happens to be across the room while you're trying to sleep, adjust your mattress' settings with a simple voice command.

Here's the x12 in all its glory. sleepnumber x12It has all of the customization features we've come to expect from a Sleep Number bed. 

sleepnumber x12And here's the kind of information it collects while you sleep. 

sleepnumber x12

Check out this video of the x12 in action.

Where To Buy: Available in select Sleep Number stores starting in February, and spreading nationwide in the coming months.

Cost: $8,000.

Want to nominate a cool product for Stuff We Love? Send an email to Megan Willett at mwillett@businessinsider.com with "Stuff We Love" in the subject line.

SEE ALSO: Tiny Apartment Dwellers Will Love This Coffee Table That Converts To A Kitchen Table In Seconds

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Here's How People In Muslim Countries Think Women Should Dress

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The Pew Research Center posted this illuminating graphic showing how people in various Muslim-dominated countries prefer women to dress.

Most of those surveyed thought women should wear some kind of garment that covers their hair, and fewer than 5% of people in Iraq, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia considered it appropriate for women to be seen in public with no head garment at all.

The graphic is based on research from University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research.

How Muslim women should dress chart

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I Joined A Fraternity And It Was One Of The Best Decisions I Ever Made

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Go Greek Sorority Students Murray State University

Disclosure: I was in a fraternity in college. Further disclosure: It was one of the best decisions I made in my four years on campus.

The common reaction to my fraternity membership is to dismiss Greek life as at best a childish indulgence and at worst a semi-destructive force. The latter view took center stage in a recent Bloomberg View editorial with the blunt headline "Abolish Fraternities."

There's no doubt that there are bad things happening at fraternity houses across the country. At least one hazing death every year for the past 43 years is very scary statistic, and one that needs to be addressed. But what seems to be the core of Bloomberg's argument — that Greek life is at odds with a college's "mission" — is a simplified and partial view of the undergraduate experience.

Not only that, but the Bloomberg editorial often presents misleading and sometimes flat-out wrong information. Greek life has some amazing benefits for students that choose to join a house — moreso than just easy access to parties and booze — although it is crucial to note that this may not be the right social outlet for every student.

That said, here's why it's important to have fraternities and sororities on campus:

Fraternity culture is actually less hostile to women

Sigma Pi Fraternity StudentsContrary to the popular view of frat boys as, well, frat boys, a recent study from Loyola University New Orleans found that non-affiliated students actually had more threatening attitudes toward women. "Hypermasculinity — defined as 'an exaggerated adherence to traditional male gender role beliefs' — was generally a predictor of sexual aggression for all men except those in fraternities," Inside Higher Ed reports. 

According to IHE, this may be due to sexual consent, assault, and alcohol abuse education that many fraternity chapters make mandatory for members.

Greeks on average have higher GPAs

In the Bloomberg View editorial, the authors write "fraternity members tend to have lower grades ... compared with their nonmember peers." This is wrong.

As this helpful guide from Total Frat Move shows, frat boys actually have higher GPAs than non-affiliated students at a majority of schools across the country. And that's not just for the men — here area fewschools where the overall Greek community is getting higher marks.

More specifically, a study at the University of Nebraska found that "Greeks were more likely to have High than Low GPA's and Independents were more likely to have Low than High GPA's."

Greeks are also considerably more likely to stay enrolled and graduate college

Another academic advantage for Greeks is a higher retention rate — students are more likely to stay enrolled at their college. A study from a group of Harvard University and Syracuse University professors found that joining a Greek organization "had a dramatically positive effect on persistence to graduation."

"90% of fraternity/sorority members compared to 70% of non-affiliated students were enrolled during their senior year," they write.

Additionally, Greek students have a much higher graduation rate compared to their peers. According to USA Today, "college graduation rates are 20% higher among Greeks than non-Greeks."

Greek life is becoming much more diverse

Sigma Delta Tau SDT Sorority StudentsA common argument against Greek life — one that appeared in the Bloomberg editorial — is that fraternities and sororities are homogeneous, a claim that may have been true in the past but is actively changing now. 

Probably the best example of this is the Greek community at the University of Alabama, whose racial segregation was uncovered by student newspaper the Crimson White last semester. After a series of revealing reports from the paper and student protests, several black women were offered — and accepted — membership into previously all-white UA sororities.

For another perspective, check out this great guest post in BroBible from a self-styled "Gay Bro," who notes, "A lot has changed in the past 10 years."

Joining a Greek organization can help fight loneliness and depression

For many students, leaving home to go away to college can be difficult because you're separated from your family and close friends for the first time. To combat this, experts suggest socializing as a means to avoid depression.

As the Nebraska study cites another paper that found that "students that entered the Greek system had larger support systems and more friends than students that chose not to. This can impact a student by preventing feelings of loneliness."

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4 Ways Couples Can Protect Their Finances When They Move In Together

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couple living together

Living with your partner, either to test out the waters before marriage or as a more permanent arrangement, is now more common than ever. Nearly half of young women have cohabited outside of marriage, according to a report by the National Center for Health Statistics.

However, in the excitement of moving in together, many couples can get swept up in the fun and forget they are making an important financial step. Not only are you comingling finances for the first time, you must also prepare for the chance that things don't work out.

We asked life coach Dr. Michele Callahan, who has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Oz, and other media, how couples can protect their finances when they make this critical next step. She offered the following four tips:

Add your name to the lease. In the unfortunate event that you break up with your partner and one of you has to move out, the person whose name is on the lease is in the best position to maintain possession of the space. If both names are on the lease, both people have a more equal opportunity to remain in the apartment and renew the lease.

Create a personal budget. Before you agree to rent a new apartment or pay a mover, stop and create a budget for your new monthly bills that includes rent, utilities, and anything else that you may now be paying for on your own. Don’t forget to include your moving expenses, such as moving supplies, security deposit, new furniture, etc.

Purchase items individually.That way, in the unfortunate event of a breakup, the person who paid for the TV or bed is entitled to it, and the person who bought the sofa can take it or swap it with their partner for something else.

Keep good financial records. Keep receipts, bank statements, credit card statements, or a journal of shared expenses and purchases to make it easier to divide things up later.

SEE ALSO: 9 Money Talks You Should Have With Your Spouse

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This Wild Concept Yacht Is A Floating Replica Of Monaco [PHOTOS]

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Each year, jet setters and socialites flock to Monaco to watch the Grand Prix and soak up the Mediterranean sun. 

If plans for a new superyacht called "The Streets of Monaco" are brought to fruition, that experience could be recreated on a floating city measuring more than 500 feet long (about half the size of a modern cruise ship).

The plans, released by Yacht Island Design, show an expansive deck featuring replicas of Monaco's most recognizable landmarks, including the Grand Prix track, Hotel de Paris, and Port Hercule. 

Monaco exteriorAlso pictured in the renderings are a helicopter pad, mini submarine, speedboats, and several swimming pools, and miniature hotels that line the port area.

A replica of the Grand Prix track lets cruisers race around just like the pros, albeit on go-karts instead of fancy Formula One automobiles. 

But the deck isn't the only part of the superyacht that mimics the opulence of Monaco. Inside, "the Oasis" is modeled after the gardens outside the Monaco Casino. 

Monaco oasis Lavish staterooms would accommodate 16 guests and 70 crew members.

Monaco yachtThe owner's apartment would be especially swanky, with double-high ceilings, a private sundeck, and its own jacuzzi and pool. 

Monaco yacht

According to the Daily Mail, the extravagant floating city could cost £244 million ($401 million) to complete, though it's difficult to pinpoint an exact price this early in the process. 

Still, developers say there's plenty of buzz surrounding their project. 

"We have had a significant amount of interest from the general public wanting to take cruises and a number of inquiries for potential commercial applications," Rob McPherson, one of the founders of the project, said to the Daily Mail

"We are actively looking for clients either private or commercial with the vision to realise this new and interesting design direction."

SEE ALSO: 17 Crazy Hotel Suites You Have To Spend A Night In Before You Die

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How To Get Free Refills At Starbucks

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coffee run, intern, Starbucks, caffeine

Starbucks has a little-known perk for members of its rewards program: Free refills on drinks, regardless of your original order. 

As long as you're a rewards member at the green or gold level and you don't exit the store after your original order, you qualify for the free refills, according to coffee chain's policy.

The refill drinks must be one of Starbucks' lower-priced drinks, however, which include brewed coffee, iced coffee, hot tea and iced tea. And you must purchase the drink on a registered Starbucks card at the green level.

Rewards members reach green level when they have accumulated five stars, which is equal to five Starbucks purchases. 

Seattle attorney Melody Overton, who runs the blog StarbucksMelody.com, says the refill policy is one of Starbucks' biggest "problem policies" because baristas often don't follow it.

"Yes, you can buy a Grande Cool Lime Refresher, and ask for a Iced Passion Tea in that cup as a refill,"  she wrote on her blog recently. "I was at the Corson & Michigan Starbucks about one week ago, and did just that. A Starbucks barista (Hannah?) said 'yes' without any wincing, questioning, or anything at all. It should be that way everywhere."

SEE ALSO: 4 Starbucks Policies That Drive Customers Crazy

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Movies In Luxembourg Are Overwhelmingly Multilingual — And Other Observations Of An American Tourist

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The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has three national languages and so do its movie theaters. I went to Luxembourg's original multiplex cinema on Christmas and saw a German film in English with French and German subtitles. The tiny country, smaller than the state of Rhode Island, has 15 movie theaters with half of them only 2o minutes away from each other. 

Only one movie playing at the cinema was not American. Here are advertisements for upcoming movies which were already in their second week at the box office in New York. movie luxembourg

The movie tickets were 8.80 euros or about $12 dollars, though I got in cheaper with a student discount.

lux movie

The grab-and-go style concessions saved us time since we didn't have to wait for an attendant to gather our food and drink selections. The heat lamps kept the popcorn warm, but the scent of freshly popped popcorn wasn't noticeable.

lux movie

In fact, the theater only sold sweet popcorn, which wasn't bad at all. The smallest size was priced at less than $3 dollars. 

popcorn europe

I counted more than 25 different drink options including various energy drinks, juices, flavored water, and sodas. There was also an ICEE machine.

movie luxembourg

There were three candy displays in the concessions area, filled primarily with Haribo candy.

movie luxembourg

I ended up getting a half a pound of candy and paid about $8 dollars. 

luxembourg movie

The cinema was much cleaner than you would find in America. The seats were comfortable, with a lot of space between rows.

movie luxembourg

After three previews, the movie began. "The Physician" is a German film made in English, projected with German and French subtitles.

movie luxembourg

It was difficult to pay attention to the audio since the lower part of the screen kept flickering every time the titles changed. Sometimes there were three languages on the screen at one time.

movie luxembourg

Sometimes the subtitles were hard to read because of the background. 

movie luxembourg

At the end of the movie, everyone took their garbage and either recycled it or threw it away.  Nothing was left in the aisles.

movie luxembourg

SEE ALSO: 21 awesome McDonald's dishes you can't get in America

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This 'Valet' App Parks Your Car For You

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valeo app

There is no one inside the Range Rover in a Las Vegas parking lot. But it still guides its way to a parking place, after what looks like some hesitation.

The self-parking is directed by an app which controls the vehicle, detects an available space and maneuvers into it.

The "automated parking valet" created by the French equipment maker Valeo is among the technology innovations for the sector on display at this week's Consumer Electronics Show.

While the idea of a fully autonomous car is a dream for some, this is a step which promises to alleviate at least some of the tedium facing motorists.

The system allows drivers to leave their car at the entrance of a parking lot and let it find a space to park itself. Drivers activate the feature from their smartphone, and can also use it to summon the car to pick them up.

"It's like a brain," said Guillaume Devauchelle, a Valeo vice president presenting the prototype system at the huge electronics expo.

"It acts step by step, with a certain latitude, to be able to adapt to the situation," Devauchelle told AFP.

"If it is put in the same position for a second time, it won't react the same way."

The system does not require garages or parking lots to have special equipment, the executive said. It relies on the kinds of sensors some cars already use, with some extra electronics.

Devauchelle said the system may require a camera to recognize and avoid spaces designated for the handicapped or unusual features in a garage.

He said the system was designed to be as simple as possible so that it would not be only for luxury vehicles.

"We would like to make this available to the largest number of people," he said.

Even as automakers work on self-driving vehicles, a number of improvements can be made along the way, Devauchelle said, indicating the parking valet is not simply a matter of convenience.

It can help avoid the kinds of accidents frequent in parking areas and allow elderly people who find it difficult to make parking maneuvers to use their cars more often.

"As you age, turning your head becomes harder, so parallel parking is very difficult," the Valeo executive said.

"Parking maneuvers, in our estimation, are the most difficult for motorists."

Valeo said three million cars already have its semi-automatic system, which can perform parallel parking but require the driver to remain at the wheel.

The company said it has also sold a system that uses remote control but requires the driver to remain in view of the car or the smartphone screen as a safety precaution.

Devauchelle said the automated parking valet is adapted well for rental car fleets but added that regulations about driver requirements "from the horse and buggy era" need to be reviewed.

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Past And Present GIFs Of 11 Famous NYC Filming Locations

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We recently showed you how some of Los Angeles' most iconic film scenes looked during original production — and how they look now.

Thanks to the cool new iPhone app Scenepast that lets us check out before-and-after photos of famous film locations, we get to see some of New York City's hot film spots, too. 

Take a look at how the Big Apple has changed over the years:

"Broadway Danny Rose" 1984 — 1626 Broadway (at 49th Street)

Broadway Danny Rose GIF

"Do The Right Thing" 1989 — Lexington Ave & Stuyvesant Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221 Do the right thing GIF

"Hannah and Her Sisters" 1985 — 43 Greene Street

Hannah and her Sisters GIF

"Hannah and Her Sisters" 1985 — 88 Grand Street  

Hannah and her sisters GIF

"Midnight Cowboy" 1969 — 234 West 42nd Street

Midnight Cowboy GIF

 "Miami Vice" 1984 (from Season 1, episode 1) — 242 West 16th Street

Miami Vice GIF

"Kojak" 1973 (from Season 1, episode 1) — 148 West 49th Street  Kojak GIF

 "Kojak" 1973 (from Season 1, episode 1) — 24 Peck Slip

Kojak GIF 2

"Naked City" 1947 — 404 West 15th Street

Naked City GIF

"Saturday Night Fever" 1977 — 802 East 64th Street, Brooklyn

Saturday Night Fever GIF

"Taxi Driver" 1975 — 1886 Broadway (between 62nd & 63rd Street)

Taxi Driver GIF

SEE ALSO: Past And Present GIFs Of 10 Famous Los Angeles Filming Locations

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These Charts Show The The Epic Decline Of Various Styles Of Facial Hair

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For a lot of the 19th century, some type of facial hair was pretty much standard among men in Britain. But in the 20th century, being cleanshaven rapidly became the norm.  

A series of charts posted to the DataIsBeautiful subreddit by Reddit user celacanto shows the incredible decline of facial hair from the 1840s to the 1970s. It's originally from a 1976 paper from University of Washington economist Dwight Robinson, and is based on men's appearances in the Illustrated London News, the first ever illustrated news weekly. 

Here's are the charts. For the charts of specific beard styles, the Y axis shows the level of frequency out of the total of all bearded men. The bottom chart summing all styles shows the level of frequency out of all men in the sample: 

Beardchart

According to the paper, historical events don't seem to have been the cause of rising beardlessness. The safety razor started its rise to dominance around 1905, but the trend towards being clean shaven had already been going on for years.

It's about shifting style preferences. The data comes from a relatively small subset of elite, British men, but its still a fascinating shift. 

Another chart from the original paper shows the rising dominance of being cleanshaven:

Shaving chart 

If male celebrities, Lloyd Blankfein, or residents of Brooklyn are any indication, facial hair is in the midst of a renaissance, so it would be fascinating to see these charts updated somehow. The paper estimates the "trough to trough" period to be around 100 years across different styles, so we may be due for a resurgence. 

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4 Essential Suits Every Man Needs In His Closet

The London 'Anti-Cafe' Where Everything Is Free But You Pay 5 Cents A Minute Just To Be There

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Ziferblat Cafe London

Next time you're in London, you could walk into the Ziferblat cafe in the fashionable Shoreditch neighborhood and grab a coffee. Perhaps you might sit down on one of the comfortable armchairs, pull out your laptop and check your emails on the Wi-Fi network. Feeling a little hungry? There's some food in the cabinet; help yourself.

How much does all this cost? Well, if you spend, say, 45 minutes there, it will cost you £1.35 (approximately $2.20).

You see, Ziferblat might look like a traditional cafe or a coffee shop, but it's not. It's an "anti-cafe." Customers are welcome to come in and do whatever they like with the facilities, as long as they pay 3 pence (5 cents) per minute while they're there. So far, Londoners seem excited by the news — Time Out marveled at a raw onion in the pantry (to cook with, if you wish), while the Guardian wondered if having a piano in the cafe was a great idea, or a terrible one.

Ziferblat Cafe London

Ziferblat (which means "clock-face" in Russian and German) is the brainchild of Ivan Mitin, an author who decided to open an anti-cafe in Moscow in 2011. The idea was so successful that he eventually opened nine more throughout Russia, and the idea of the "anti-cafe" has become a popular trend in the country.

While some might say the idea of an anti-cafe might fit in with collectivist ideas in Russian society, Mitin disagrees. In an email to Business Insider, he explained that he thought the idea was quite universal.

"We touch upon archetypal things that are common between anyone on Earth — it doesn't matter if you are Russian, African, European, North Korean, or whatever," Mitin writes. "It is a desire to be yourself and be loved unconditionally. Everyone wishes to get back to the fairytale of the childhood. Ziferblat reminds me of the idea of a treehouse — kids split together to build a small world of their own where the 'stupid and artificial' rules of society wouldn't work."

Interestingly, Mitin is quick to point to the Internet as a source of inspiration for the places — he likes to call the cafes "The Social Network in real Life." He sees it as much more than a place to go get coffee; customers are allowed to organize events at the space, for example (though there is one firm rule: no alcohol). The freedom and emphasis on the community element of Ziferblat is why he feels that the anti-cafe clones in Russia have not succeeded.

"They think that if they will rent a space, buy some cheap furniture from ikea, put some X-Boxes and ask 'clients' to pay roubles for minutes they will have a success," Mitin says. "It is not like that. People get bored of time payment and when nothing is behind that — they just don't come anymore."

London is the first branch of Ziferblat outside of Russia and Ukraine. Opening such a cafe in one of the world's most notoriously expensive cities (and in its hippest neighborhood) may seem to be inviting disaster, but Mitin says that is the point: It's a challenge. "If Ziferblat succeeds in London then it would mean that we can open it anywhere because it would be cheaper," he says, also explaining that his literary background and love of writers such as Lewis Carroll, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and C.S. Lewis, led him to the U.K.

Ziferblat Cafe London

The London space, despite being on one of the British capital's most fashionable streets, remains semi-hidden, and customers have to buzz in. Mitin says it's one of the smallest and coziest spaces he's opened so far.

"Happily people understand the idea and atmosphere [of Ziferblat] much faster and deeper than it sometimes happens in Russia," Mitin says. "They don't bother each other with loud laughs when it's quiet in Ziferblat, and they don't nearly make children in the corner as happens in my country. They understand that they should help themselves with coffee and tea and they wash much more dishes afterwards. It feels like people [in London] are much more tired of consumption and really happy not to be "clients" anymore."

Ziferblat Cafe London

Still can a place like this be profitable? Mitin says it can as long as the space maintains a core clientele who spend long periods of time at the cafe, and if the cafe sometimes asked for donations from its regulars. It is, after all, Mitin says, a social project, not a business model.

If it works, he's looking to expand. And there's an even more ambitious target in mind: New York.

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Chevy's Diesel Sedan Is A Terrific Little Car That Won't Save You Any Money

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2014 chevy cruze diesel

A lot of new diesel-powered cars have popped up on the American market over the past year, with Audi and its parent company Volkswagen leading the push.

There are plenty of upsides to diesels: they offer more torque and better fuel economy than gas-powered cars, and new technology has done away with the loud, dirty, smelly quality that was their hallmark a few decades ago.

Diesels are popular in Europe, and so far sales in America have been good, at least for VW. So I was excited to try out the American offering: General Motors' 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel.

A Solid Car

I spent a week driving through Manhattan and Brooklyn, took a New Year's Eve jaunt out to Long Island and packed the car for a ski trip that never happened. And I really like this car.

In terms of style, it's nothing special. The Cruze looks just like most other cars in the highly competitive compact car segment, which includes the VW Jetta, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla. But with a "red hot" exterior and "jet black" interior, there's nothing wrong with the Cruze's looks.

It's well-equipped: Keyless entry, heated leather seats, XM radio, cruise control, power adjustable mirrors, aluminum painted wheels, and a six-speaker audio system all come standard. MSRP is $24,885. The model I tested also had a 7-inch color touchscreen with navigation, blind zone alerts, and a better sound system, which pushed the price up to $28,105. I'd like to see a rear view camera come standard, but have no other cause to gripe.

The back row is best reserved for children. I'm 5'11", and with the driver's seat where I like it, I could barely fit in the seat behind it.

Acceleration from the 2.0-liter engine isn't great right off the line, but the Cruze smoothly picks up speed between 10 and 30 mph, and the steering is perfectly adequate. The diesel engine is noisy at low speeds (especially if you're outside the car), but quiets down on the highway.

The fuel economy is impressive. Even with a lot of city driving, I averaged between 30 and 46 mpg. It's EPA-rated for 33 mpg city and 46 mpg highway, so those numbers line up.

Overall, the 2014 Cruze Diesel is a really solid car — nothing amazing, but it's not designed to break the mold.

2014 chevy cruze diesel engine

Diesel Won't Save You Money

I haven't tested the other diesel in the compact segment, the 2014 VW Jetta TDI, so I don't know how they line up (pricing and gas mileage are pretty close).

But my guess is that more people will be deciding between the regular Cruze and the Cruze Diesel than between the Jetta TDI and the Cruze Diesel.

So it's worth looking at how the Cruzes compare. The diesel cost $7,615 more than the Cruze LS, the cheapest gas-powered version of the car. That's a 44% jump, huge in a segment full of price-conscious buyers.

But the Diesel delivers better fuel economy than its gas-powered brother. That means you save money, right?

Nope. The improved mpg number will never pay off, because diesel fuel is a lot more expensive than regular gasoline (premium is a different story).

We crunched the numbers: To make the Cruze Diesel a better bargain its gasoline-powered brother, you'd have to drive more than 2.6 million miles.

Diesel costs $.50 more per gallon than gas, diesel drivers save only .287 cents per mile. So it takes a lot of driving to cover the $7,000 price difference.

That number is based on the national average fuel prices (provided by AAA on January 8) the MSRP for each vehicle, and the EPA-rated highway gas mileage for each. We chose the highway number to be generous to the diesel — that's where it does best.

2014 chevy cruze diesel interior

A Few Caveats

First of all, gas prices can change. The gap between gasoline and diesel is the result of government policies, which aren't set in stone.

Then there's the added power that comes from the diesel engine, and the improved resale value.

And the Cruze Diesel can drive over 700 highway miles on a full tank. If you never have to use the bathroom and/or sometimes end up being chased by the police, we think we've found just the car for you.

2014 chevy cruze diesel

SEE ALSO: The Surprisingly Violent Story Of How The Trucking Industry Killed Fair Prices For Great Diesel Cars

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We Found Out What It Takes To Be A Big-Time DJ

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Caroline D'Amore Bounce Music Festival Puerto Vallarta

DJs only gained rock star status a few years ago, thanks largely to the rise of electronic dance music (EDM). 

But these days, DJs like Calvin Harris can rake in over $200,000 in a night, while other "Electronic Cash Kings" like Skrillex, Avicii, and David Guetta routinely make millions every year.

"Good DJs do one of three things," says Sujit Kundu, whose DJ management agency SKAM Artist celebrates 10 years in the business this year. "Sell bottles, sell tickets, or attract girls. But great DJs do all three at once."

As DJs move from the fringes of the music world — hauling crates of records to remix — to arena-filling original performers, we spoke with Jermaine Dupri, Caroline D’Amore and DJ Five, who are all represented by SKAM, to find out what it's like to be a part of the music industry's fastest-growing sector.

Hip-hop versus electronic

"The EDMers got respect for DJs, from an artist’s perspective," Dupri, a mega-hit producer who formed Kris Kross in the ‘90s and started managing Mariah Carey in October, tells Business Insider.

"But the crowd is doing basically the same thing with their fists up. There’s the buildup and then the drop in the mix. If you hear a Jay Z record in a hip-hop mix and you’re from New York, you act even more boisterous to represent where you’re from," Dupri adds. He said DJing in hip-hop has a lot to do with nostalgia and where you were when certain videos and songs came out. 

Jermaine DupriD'Amore likes the universal appeal of electronic music. After she elbowed her way into the DJ business (“Some guys would be like, ‘Yea, I'd sleep with her, but I wouldn't hire her to DJ,’” she says), she turned to DJ AM, who helped her get her first pieces of equipment, and started playing electronic gigs, which have long been popular in Europe and Asia. In Tokyo, she opened for Will.I.Am at the MTV Music Awards.

That night, she got to hang out with Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie. "She came into the DJ booth and she goes, 'Girl, you’ve got to turn around, blot your face and then turn back around when you’re ready to give them a good picture,'" D'Amore recalls.

Electronic dance music mines pop culture and music for material. D'Amore remembered a show where she played a remix of "Twist and Shout," then got on the mic and asked anyone who remembered "a little movie called Ferris Bueller" to get up and do the dance. 

The digital shift

DJ FiveScratching vinyl on turntables was the critical skill when DJs enjoyed their first heyday in the '80s. 

"The digital shift didn’t make a difference to consumers," SKAM founder Kundu says. "But it made it easier to be a DJ. Back in the day, Funkmaster Flex might be the first one to get a new disc ahead of his competitors, so his mixes would be fresher for a time. Now people can rip all the music they want, it’s on the Internet, so the edits they do become more important than the songs they mix."

Mixing with CDs later became popular, but DJ Five, an "open format" DJ who "spins in all styles," says the change between tracks isn't as clean on CD. He works largely on his computer and sets aside time twice each week to download new songs for sets.

Dupri has a separate computer dedicated to DJ work. He downloads music before each performance to fit the "flavor" of the city he's in.

"If people see me in the club all week, they think ‘Oh this guy parties all the time,'" Dupri says, "but I’m really in there doing research."

If somebody requests a track mid-show, he says he can download it on the spot in two minutes or less. 

D'Amore uses her computer to store her music library and manipulates the mix with a Pioneer CDJ digital turntable and a Pioneer DJM-900nexus mixer. 

Booking and the business

Some musicians make money off their records, but not DJs. Cutting a record just gets a DJ's name out to club owners and festival organizers. It builds a buzz and brings audiences out to shows. 

The real money for DJs is in performances, and for them, Las Vegas is Mecca

Many DJs negotiate weekly or bi-weekly performance schedules in Vegas, which covers all their expenses and gives them a regular income. Then they travel the world making more lucrative appearances. D'Amore flew to Atlantic City in December for less than 12 hours between some standing performances on the West Coast.  

"Vegas is cool because it’s such a destination," says D’Amore, who’s had six-month residencies at the Hard Rock Hotel at Rehab and Body English. "The audience is less pretentious than in the LA clubs. People from all over the world come, and when they go home, they build your fan base where they’re from." 

Playing Vegas also tends to bring a measure of celebrity exposure. DJ Five, who currently has Vegas residencies at Tao and Hyde, played a show attended by Kanye West and Kim Kardashian for her birthday in October.

At the higher levels, having professional representation is essential. When DJs really hit the big-time, splitting time between Vegas residencies, music festivals and world tours, they want someone else taking their booking calls. 

"Someone might offer you $2,000 when they should really be offering you $10,000," Kundu says. "I know the difference. I’m the equalizer, and I can help get songs on the radio, TV, VEVO, MTV, iTunes to help you get that bigger offer for a show."

SEE ALSO: Now Hipster Parents Can Sign Their Babies Up For DJ School In Brooklyn

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Check Out The World's First Burrito Vending Machine

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The world's first burrito vending machine has debuted at a gas station in Los Angeles, and people love it. 

The "Burrito Box" offers five different burritos, all for $3, that you can select from a touch-screen menu. The varieties include Chorizo Sausage, Roasted Potato, Uncured Bacon, Free-Range Chicken and Shredded Beef. 

You can also add a side of Daisy sour cream for 50 cents, Tabasco for 65 cents or Wholly Guacamole for 75 cents. The website says the ingredients are 100% natural with no hormones or antibiotics.

Once a selection has been made, the machine shows you all the nutrition and ingredient information, according to Los Angeles Times reporter Jenn Harris, who tested out the Burrito Box this week.

Here's a photo of the Burrito Box that was posted by Reddit user andrewgoldstein4:

Burrito Box

Then you swipe your credit card and the machine takes one minute to heat up your burrito.

While you wait for the finished product to pop out of the machine, the Burrito Box entertains you with a music video.

The burrito comes out of the machine in a paper pouch.

Here's what an unwrapped burrito looks like:

Harris said the potato, egg and cheese burrito "was hot and melty, but it needed hot sauce."

In another review, local news site LAist said the Uncured Bacon burrito had a bacon flavor that "came on strong like cheap perfume."

But people seem to love the concept, regardless of the reviews. 

Burrito fans have flocked to the company's Facebook page to beg the Burrito Box to come to their cities. 

"New York City could use 100 of these!!!!" wrote Facebook user Joseph Dugan. 

Bob Anthony Atari wrote, "I DEMAND THIS COME TO ARIZONA."

"Please come to the East Coast. Now. Preferably Northern Virginia," Emma Hayward added.

There's currently only one Burrito Box in operation, with a second Los Angeles location coming on January 18.

SEE ALSO: The Death Of Casual Dining In One Chart

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