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5 reasons Finland's schools are better than America's

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finland finnish womenFinland recently dropped the news that it's revamping its already-unorthodox education system to teach students broad, multi-disciplinary topics.

Finland is an innovative country when it comes to education, and its innovation yields results. It's consistently one of the highest performing developed countries on the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), an important tool for measuring education systems worldwide.

While Finland's ranking dropped to 12 in the most recent PISA ranking, it's still a lot higher than the US ranking of 36.

Here are some things Finland does differently — and arguably better — than the US when it comes to education.

1. Better standardized tests

Finnish students only take one standardized test during their entire primary and secondary schooling.

By contrast, the US, driven by No Child Left Behind and Common Core mandates, requires students in third through eighth grade to take annual standardized tests to track their performance. Critics claim constant testing doesn't make students any smarter but instead creates a "teaching to the test" environment in schools.

Karen Magee, the president of the largest teachers union in New York, went so far as to urge parents to boycott standardized tests recently.

The Finnish test, called the National Matriculation Examination, is taken at the end of high school and graded by teachers, not computers, as Pasi Sahlberg a professor and former director general at the Finland Ministry of Education, explained to the Washington Post in 2014. The test also doesn't shy away from controversial or complex topics.

Here are some typical questions, according to Sahlberg:

“In what sense are happiness, good life and well-being ethical concepts?”

“Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels predicted that a socialist revolution would first happen in countries like Great Britain. What made Marx and Engels claim that and why did a socialist revolution happen in Russia?” 

Sahlberg added, in the Washington Post, "Students are regularly asked to show their ability to cope with issues related to evolution, losing a job, dieting, political issues, violence, war, ethics in sports, junk food, sex, drugs, and popular music. Such issues span across subject areas and often require multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills."

2. More time for play

Students in Finland spend relatively little time on homework, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). A 2014 study of 15-year-olds around the world by the OECD said that on average, Finnish students spend 2.8 hours a week on homework. This contrasts noticeably from the 6.1 hours American students spend per week.

Screen Shot 2015 03 30 at 4.44.31 PMFinns place a lot of value on free time and play. By law, teachers must give students a 15-minute break for every 45 minutes of instruction.

It's a different story in the US where kids typically get less than half an hour of recess every day.

This "deficit of play" for US students may lead to additional anxiety and other mental health issues, the psychologist and research professor Peter Gray has written. 

3. College is free 

In Finland, not only are bachelor degree programs completely free of tuition fees, so are master and doctoral programs. Students pursue higher education goals without the mountains of student loan debt that many American students face. And the same goes for foreign students. Tuition is free for any student accepted into a college or graduate program in Finland.

This contrasts greatly with the US, where the average student loan debt now approaches $30,000, according to the Institute for College Access and Success's 2014 report. 

4. Elevated teaching profession

Screen Shot 2015 04 02 at 2.56.33 PMIn Finland, teaching is one of the most revered professions with a relatively high barrier to entry.

Only one in 10 students who apply to teacher education programs are admitted, according to the Center on International Education Benchmarking (CIEB).

Teachers in Finland are treated like professors at universities, and they teach fewer hours during the day than US teachers, with more time devoted to lesson planning.

They also get paid slightly more in Finland. The average teacher in the US makes about $41,000 a year, compared to $43,000 in Finland, according to OECD data.

And while teachers in the US make less money than many other countries, the OECD found that they work the longest hours of all. 

It's easy to understand why America's teachers — who are overworked and get relatively little respect — might not be as effective as teachers in Finland.

5. Universal preschool

Finland provides, all students, regardless of income, the ability to attend nationally funded preschool programs. That benefit does not exist in the US.

Many experts agree that preschool is essential for early childhood development. Studies show that preschool sets kids up for later success in the classroom, making them more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to repeat grades.

Children in Finland also start elementary school a year later than US kids — at seven years old rather than six — allowing them an additional year for play and growth under an early education specialist.

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The 10 most important things in the world right now

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Fire

Good morning! Here's what you need to know on Monday.

1. Germany on Sunday imposed temporary controls on its border with Austria as a record number of asylum seekers have flooded into the nation over the past two weeks, creating security issues.

2. Egyptian forces accidentally killed members of a tourist group from Mexico. The Egyptians had been chasing militants in the western desert on Sunday night.

3. More than 3,000 people in Northern California have been forced to flee their homes as firefighters continue to battle a massive wildfire that burned more than 25,000 acres over the weekend.

4. Asian markets opened up, despite a string of weak economic data from China over the weekend.

5. Opinion polls one week ahead of Greece's snap election show the radical left Syriza party almost neck and neck with the main opposition conservative New Democracy party.

6. The UK Met Office predicts that 2015 and 2016 could be the hottest years on record globally and that the "global warming pause" is coming to an end.

7. A Barron's cover story suggests shares of the Chinese online retailing behemoth Alibaba could lose another 50% of their value after recent losses.

8. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, received treatment for a blood infection and lung inflammation on Sunday, continuing a hospital stay that has lasted more than three months.

9.Japan's Mount Aso erupted on Monday, sending huge plumes of smoke into the sky, though there are no immediate reports of injuries.

10. Left-winger Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader of Britain's opposition Labour party on Saturday, which may help the Conservatives in the next British elections.

And finally ...

Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer to win his second title at the US Open and 10th Grand Slam trophy.

SEE ALSO: Visit the 10 most important things in the world archive

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30 celebrities who received doctorate degrees without ever stepping foot in class

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JK Rowling

Apparently there's more than one way to earn a doctorate. 

While institutions of higher education have been criticized for awarding honorary doctorates to non-graduates, it hasn't stopped them from honoring accomplished musicians, artists, athletes, and actors for years. 

Many celebrities on our list hold not one, but two or even three honorary doctorates from some of the most prestigious universities in the world. 

Keep reading to find out which universities bestowed "Dr." upon the likes of Kanye West, Magic Johnson, and Jon Bon Jovi.

SEE ALSO: The 50 best colleges in America

SEE ALSO: 14 of the most famous kids in college this semester

Meryl Streep has three Ivy League honorary doctorates.

Meryl Streep is the recipient of four honorary doctorates, three of which come from the most prestigious universities in the country: Harvard, Yale, and Princeton

Most recently, the Academy-Award winning actress, who earned her own degree from Vassar College, received a Doctorate of Fine Arts from Indiana University at Bloomington for her cinematic talents and advocacy for women.



Ben Affleck was honored for his work in the arts.

The two-time Academy Award winner was honored with a Doctorate of Fine Arts at Brown University's 2013 commencement on the heels of immense success for his film "Argo," which he starred in and directed. Since then, he's settled into the role of Batman in the upcoming "Suicide Squad" and "The Justice League" series.



P. Diddy received an honorary doctorate from the college he dropped out of.

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs became Dr. Combs when he was honored with a Doctorate in Humanities during his commencement address at Howard University in 2014. Diddy enrolled in the university back in 1990 but dropped out shortly after to pursue a music career. Still, he said Howard University changed his life and he was humbled to receive a degree.



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The 12 best large colleges in America

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UCLA

People often tend to associate large universities with less individualized instruction and, overall, less prestige.

But our seventh annual ranking of the 50 best colleges in America suggested otherwise.

Our list ranks colleges by median starting salary, average SAT score, and a survey that asked more than 1,000 Business Insider readers to choose the colleges that best prepared students for success after graduation. Read our full methodology here.

More than a quarter of the colleges on our list clocked in with an undergraduate enrollment of more than 10,000 studentsRead on to find out which large colleges made the cut.

SEE THE FULL LIST: The 50 best colleges in America

SEE ALSO: People who work in finance say these are the best colleges in America

12. Boston University

Undergraduate enrollment: 18,017

Average SAT score: 1945

Median starting salary: $50,100

The Boston University alumni community is full of Nobel Prize and Pulitzer winners, Fulbright scholars, and poets laureate. The school received over $350.3 million in grants and contract awards last year, powering it as one of the top research universities in the country.



11. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Undergraduate enrollment: 32,959

Average SAT score: 2030

Median starting salary: $55,000

Located about 140 miles south of Chicago, the University of Illinois is home to one of the largest public-university library collections in the world, with more than 24 million volumes across more than 20 area-studies libraries. Students can also take advantage of more than 400 study-abroad programs in more than 60 countries.



10. University of Texas at Austin

Undergraduate enrollment: 39,523

Average SAT score: 1900

Median starting salary: $52,200

Ranked No. 17 for top public universities in the country by US News and Money magazine, UT has nearly half a billion alumni all toting Longhorn pride, including award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, filmmaker Wes Anderson, journalist Walter Cronkite, and many members of the Bush family. More than 15 of UT's undergraduate programs are ranked in the top 10 nationally.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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Here's what the 6 major men's dress codes really mean

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Black-tie, informal, business casual — what does it all actually mean?

In order to demystify invitation dress codes, we consulted "The Pocket Butler," an etiquette guide written by longtime butler Charles MacPherson. In his book, MacPherson breaks down the dos and don'ts of those seemingly simple invitation dress requirements. 

Business casual

Business casual

Business casual (also "dress casual") has been muddled in recent years by shifting trends and standards of dress. If you see it on a invitation, it's always best to err on the side of formality.

A perfect business casual outfit includes pants that aren't jeans, a sports coat, and a dressier shirt. A tie is not required. The idea is to appear relaxed but put-together.

Business dress

Business Attire

Business dress is what those who work in finance and law wear on a daily basis. It's code for a suit and tie, but with a little more freedom to get creative.

Semi-formal or informal

Semi-Formal

You might be relieved to know that semi-formal is not a synonym for black-tie; the two dress codes are completely separate.

For semi-formal, all you need is a dark colored suit with a dress shirt and tie. Nothing too fancy is required, but the rules are a little more restrictive than business dress.

Black-tie optional

Black Tie Optional

If you see "black-tie optional," know that a tuxedo is not required, but whoever sent the invitation will most likely be wearing one.

An appropriate black-tie optional outfit could include a navy or black suit with a formal dress shirt and a dark-colored tie. And yes, you can wear a tuxedo if you like. 

Black-tie

Black Tie

Black-tie is often considered the pinnacle of modern formality.

It usually includes a completely black tuxedo with a white formal shirt, finished with a black satin bow tie. Sometimes a black satin cummerbund is added, but that is becoming less and less common. Black socks and black patent leather shoes are non-negotiable for black-tie.

White-tie

White Tie

White-tie is so formal that most people aren't even aware it exists. This dress code is typically reserved for royal weddings and state dinners. An extreme few personal events require white-tie.

This style of dress differs from black-tie in that the tie is white (surprise), a white vest is required (and quite starchy), and the coat has tails. White gloves are optional. 

SEE ALSO: There's a startlingly simple reason that Americans dress so casually, according to a historian

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38 things every New Yorker should do this fall

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pumpkin donut doughnut Plant

New York City is a magical place in the fall.

There are crisp days perfect for walks in the park, hot apple cider from local farmers markets, and football.

Plenty of events and festivals, from the New York City Marathon to the Wine & Food Festival, also take place.

Autumn officially starts Sept. 22, so get ready for the new season with our ultimate guide on what every New Yorker should do this fall.

SEE ALSO: 25 of the best free things to do this fall in London

FOLLOW US: BI Travel is on Twitter!

Feel the music of one of the many new shows opening on Broadway this fall. There's Fiddler on the Roof, The Color Purple, and Spring Awakening, among others. Buy tickets now during Broadway Week (Sept. 7-20) and score two-for-one tickets.

Click here for a schedule of upcoming shows >



Gorge yourself on sausages with peppers and cannoli at the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy, which runs Sept. 10-20.

For a map and event schedule, click here >



Pick apples at one of the gorgeous orchards in upstate New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey, where you can wander the grounds picking bushels of your own fruit.

Some good options near New York City include Applewood Orchards & Winery, Barton Orchards, Dr. Davies Farm, and Greig Farm.

For more suggestions, click here >



See the rest of the story at Business Insider








10 things you should never do at a concert

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Live concerts are pretty much the best things ever. Getting to hear a band you love lay it all on the line as you drink beer and enjoy your friends’ company is about as good as it gets.

An epic performance takes root deep in your soul, staying with you for months or years or decades afterward. (I can still feel Zak Starkey’s bass drum thump in my chest cavity as he pounded out the epic solo on “Won’t Get Fooled Again” while playing with The Who in Nashville, Tennessee.) 

Every great show I've been to has two things in common. First, a great band I love dearly playing at the peak of their powers (or very near the peak of their powers for some of the more aged groups). And second, a veritable plethora of jackasses trying their darnedest to ruin the concert experience for everyone in close proximity to them.

No one wants to be “that guy” (or girl), regardless of the context. To ensure you don’t suffer that fate — or more accurately, to ensure no one else has to suffer you — here are 10 behaviors to avoid at your next concert.

1. Taking incessant pictures

I get it. You’re at an awesome show, and you want to remember it forever. I can’t blame you there. Lord knows I’ve been guilty of snapping a photo or two to prove to myself that just happened. But you know what literally everyone who cares about the music hates? Your hand high to the sky blocking their view of the band as you snap 100 photos you’ll never look at again (except for that one you’ll post on Instagram, to prove to other people you’re cool). Take a picture. Hell, take 10. But once you’ve snapped a few early in the show, give it a rest. 

2. Taking incessant video

concert crowd

You know what’s worse than snapping pictures constantly? Recording video. If it’s a good show and the band is blasting away at 125 decibels, you know what can’t capture the sound at all? Your iPhone microphone. Most shows are dark with bright stage lights and spotlights. You know what struggles to capture video in low light situations with stark contrasts? Your iPhone camera. The last thing I want to see from the crowd is an army of phones held up in the air and staying there because not only are you taking photos, you’re recording video. And to top it all off, you know what people look at even less than concert photos? Concert video.

When I was young and didn’t know any better, I recorded a few videos at concerts. I have since apologized to the Gods of Rock and made my amends. But all these years later, I can honestly say I’ve never looked at those videos again.

3. Not watching the show 

Another thing I can’t stand at shows is a pack of people looking down at their phones while the band is giving it all they have. If you’re at a show, be at the show. It bothers the crap out of me when people are watching a movie or a TV show and they’re on their phone the entire time. What’s the purpose of watching anything if you’re not really paying attention? Well, if you’re taking up space in a concert venue that could have gone to another, more attentive fan, you’re being a jerk. If you’re texting a friend trying to meet up at the show, fine. But if you’re taking selfies and checking insta and posting to Facebook, go to the bathroom or to the bar. Remove yourself from the crowd because you’re not really there anyway.

4. Yelling things at the band

At big shows, this is less of an issue. In a 25,000 person arena, the band can’t hear you anyway, so it doesn’t matter all that much beyond your rock karma. But if you’re in a more intimate room and the band can hear you? Don’t yell at them. Just don’t do it.

“I just hate it when people yell out little prepared sentences at shows,” David Ponder, lead guitarist for rock band Somebody’s Darling said. “The little joke you thought up is lame. Always.”

This most certainly includes yelling “Freebird” at the show. Unless you’re at a Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band concert, you’re either being a redneck, or trying to be funny and failing. By all means, cheer your ass off for the band, but don’t yell things at them. It’s not funny, and the band is tired of your lame schtick.

5. Requesting songs

This follows closely with not screaming things at the band. Don't yell requests unless the band specifically asks, “What do you guys wanna hear?” The band has a set list, and they’re going to play what they want to. They’re balancing what fans want to hear (the hits) versus what they want to play as artists. That’s their job. They very well might play the song you want to hear, but they’re saving it for a particular part of the concert. Bands put a lot of thought and effort into the mood and flow of a concert vis-a-vis their set list, so don’t be that jerk yelling for the same song the entire show.

6. Singing

You know something I’ve never said at a concert? “Man, I’m so glad this guy in front of me came to the show. He’s a much better singer than [insert band’s lead singer here]. Thank God he’s belting out all the tunes so loudly next to me!”

At big shows, the speakers are probably so loud no one else can hear you. This becomes less of an issue in that case. But if there’s any chance others can hear your atonal groanings as you attempt and fail to approximate the singer on stage, keep your loud noises to cheering only. No one came to hear you sing. There’s a reason the lead singer gets paid to produce music with his/her voice and you do not. Remember that.

7. Shoving to the front

concert

If you have to make uncomfortable contact with another person in order to get to the front, you should just stay put. If you want to be closer to the band, get to the venue early. If I’m standing in the fifth or sixth row and have been there for an hour or more, and you just roll up, shove through me, and then stand directly in my personal bubble right in my eyeline, you’re the absolute worst.

Also, try hard not to go to the bathroom over and over again throughout the show. Even though you got there early enough to get a good spot near the front, pushing through people constantly as you go to and from the bathroom repeatedly is really annoying. You’re not the worst, but it’s suboptimal for those around you.

8. Being the only person doing what you're doing

At huge rock shows, expect to stand pretty much the whole time. But at intermediate to smaller-size shows, especially in older venues that have dedicated seating, it can be difficult to gauge whether or not you ought to stand or sit. If you love to stand during a show, you can try to set the precedent of standing in your section, but if you’re the only person doing that, it’s pretty obnoxious. This becomes a much bigger problem at shows where the audience might be split between young adults and older, original fans (think: The Eagles). In those cases, take your cues from what other people are doing in your section. Don’t be the only person doing what you’re doing.

9. Getting obnoxiously drunk 

girl drinking

I’m a firm proponent of drinking at concerts. It’s a major component of how venues make money, which keep bands in business. Also, a great beer or cocktail plus your favorite band’s show makes for a perfect match — within reason.

No one likes to take care of someone else because they’re too drunk to function on their own. It only goes downhill from there if you’re ruining everyone’s night by making an ass of yourself in the middle of the audience. I’ve seen hammered guys throw up on the back of people’s heads at shows; I’ve seen girls start fights with one another; I’ve seen people nose dive and take multiple people to the ground with them, all because the perpetrator was smashed.

Have a drink. Have three. Don’t get completely wasted.

10. Making out

Hold hands, put your arms around one another, enjoy each other’s company as you take in the awesome performance — but do not make out. Literally no one wants to see it. PDA make-out-sessions almost always look like two seals fighting over a grape. You look ridiculous, and it’s gross. Just don’t do it.

Concerts can be the most fun events you’ll attend all year. Great ones can live on in your heart and soul for decades to come. But, for every amazing concert I’ve been to, I’ve had another ruined by audience members doing some combination of the above 10 things. Don’t do them, and let your next concert be that much better for their absence.

 

SEE ALSO: 10 things you should never do at a party, according to a longtime butler

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13 facts about San Francisco that will make you think twice about whether you can afford to live there

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san francisco

San Francisco is notorious for its jaw-dropping real estate prices.

The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment stands at $3,460 a month.

But it's not just housing expenses that will eat away at your paycheck. In general, the total cost of living in San Francisco is 62.6% higher than the US average.

If you're thinking about heading out west to startup-nation, consider these eye-opening facts about the cost of living:

SEE ALSO: 15 facts about New York City that will make you think twice about whether you can afford to live there

The estimated cost of annual necessities for a single person is $43,581 — or $3,632 a month, making it the most expensive city for single people to settle down in.

Annual necessities in the San Francisco metro area include housing, food, transportation, healthcare, other necessities, and taxes. They do not include savings or discretionary spending.

Source: Economic Policy Institute's 2015 Family Budget Calculator



For a family of four, expect to pay about $91,785 a year for necessities — that's $7,649 per month.

Annual necessities in the San Francisco metro area for a four-person family — two adults and two children — include costs for housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, other necessities, and taxes. They do not include savings or discretionary spending.

Source: Economic Policy Institute's 2015 Family Budget Calculator



The median home price in the San Francisco metro area is a steep $841,600.

Compare that to the median home price in the US: $188,900.

Source: National Association of Realtors via Business Insider



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How to pour beer like a German

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Sylvester Schneider at Zum Schneider, beerPouring beer is more than getting the liquid from one vessel to another: it's an art form, as well as a science that has its own methodologies, constants, and variables.

Of course, no one has perfected pouring liquid gold quite like the Germans, famous for their expertise in all things beer, as well as their stringency in, well, everything. We tapped a real live German — Sylvester Schneider, owner of German bar and restaurant Zum Schneider in New York's Alphabet City, and expert pourer and drinker of beer — to show us how it's done correctly. 

Know what you're drinking

Zum Schneider restaurant, beer tapsAccording to Schneider, how you pour your beer depends on what you're drinking. There are three styles of beer: lager, pilsner, and wheat beer (weissbier), and each is poured differently. It also helps to know that there are different wheat beers, some of which have more yeast than others. Schneider Weisse for example has a lot more yeast than Paulaner or Franziskaner beer.

Embrace the foam

"The thing with German beer in general is that you want a nice head. We've been getting this complaint for 15 years, since we opened, that we're not giving people enough bang for their buck. But we're very stubborn about this: if you don't like it, go somewhere else," says Schneider about the American versus the German way.

And indeed, an around 1.5 inch head of foam is standard in Germany, where a beer without foam is just wrong. "Beer needs to look appetizing just like a plate of food needs to look appetizing," he says, "and a beer with two millimeters of foam is not appetizing, at least not in my world." He further explains that most German glasses have markings denoting where to fill the glass to: if you fill it all the way to the top, and the little bit of foam melts, you've given away too much beer. 

Yearn for yeast

Sylvester Schneider, pouring beer at Zum SchneiderGerman weissbier has chunks of yeast at the bottom, which are essentially a delicacy that you shouldn't let go to waste. Make sure to loosen said yeast and pour it into your glass with the rest of the beer (see below). 

Ditch the fruit

In general, Germans are anti fruit in beer. "There is only one exception, and that's a kristallweizen. A kristallweizen wants to have a lemon. A lot of people ask for a lemon for their regular weissbier and we tell them no. Blue Moon started that orange bs. I think the owner of Blue Moon has a huge orange plantation," Schneider jokes.

Know the three finger rule

At Oktoberfest, there's something called the three finger rule. Essentially, this means that foam should be about a three finger's width from the top down. The next three fingers should be the beer you drink, and the next three fingers should be thrown out because if you're drinking from a mass and thus a whole liter at a time, those last three fingers will be warm by the time you get to them. "I think the owners of the tents made up that rule," Schneider laughs. 

Never, ever consolidate

"One of the most important rules is don't ever pour your old beer into your new beer. People like to do that here very much."

How to pour a wheat beer

Sylvester Schneider, pouring beerAccording to Schneider, wheat beers and pilsners are more "explosive" than a lager, meaning that they are more carbonated. This means that you need to pour it at an angle, or with the bottle inside of the glass, as well as pour it slowly. "Even back home there are people that don't know how to pour a weissbier" Schneider says, before walking us through it.

  1. You have probably heard of the 45 degree tilt when pouring a cold one, but Schneider explains that his preferred way of pouring wheat beer is to tilt the weissbier glass much more than 45 degrees, holding it almost horizontally.
  2. Slowly stick the bottle's neck into the glass.
  3. Tilt the bottle up — the tip should be inside of the liquid while you pour it out slowly. Pouring it slowly is imperative, as the highly carbonated beer will otherwise explode into a foamy mess.
  4. Pull the bottle out, still slowly, once you've filled the glass with about two thirds of the beer.
  5. Now start pouring the rest a little faster to create a nice head of foam.
  6. Don't pour the whole bottle into the glass. Keep a little bit of liquid in the bottle in order to loosen up the yeast, which is at the bottom. The yeast is where the flavor is, so unless you can't digest yeast well (in which case you can either skip these next steps or order a kristallweizen — a filtered and yeastless wheat beer that's clear in color) you'll either want to roll the bottle on the table to loosen said yeast, or swivel the bottle in circles with a roll of your wrist, which is what Schneider does.
  7. Pour the yeast into the glass.
  8. Enjoy.

How to pour a pilsnerSylvester Schneider, pouring beer

  1. Hold the glass tilted to a 45 degree angle.
  2. Pour the beer relatively quickly, but stop when you've poured a little over half of the bottle's contents into the glass.
  3. Let the foam settle for a bit, ideally a minute.
  4. Pour a little more, let the foam settle, repeat until the bottle is empty. In Germany, local lore has it that a good pilsner takes seven minutes to pour. "Your typical pilsner in Germany is a seven minute pilsner, but that's from a tap, really" Schneider explains. "You will not find anybody in this country, or this city, who has the patience for a seven minute pilsner." However, Germany is loosening up. Today, most Germans understand that the seven minute rule is archaic, and will now accept a three minute pilsner to obtain the ideal level of foam and carbonation.
  5. Enjoy.

How to pour a lager

Sylvester Schneider, pouring beerSchneider explains that in a weissbier, you basically stick the whole bottle into the glass, but with a lager you only want to put the tip of the bottle into the glass. Unlike wheat beer and pilsner, a lager can be poured relatively quickly because it's less carbonated.

  1. Hold the glass tilted to a 45 degree angle.
  2. Stick the tip of the bottle into the glass.
  3. Pour the beer relatively quickly, and in a fast and steady stream down the side of the glass.
  4. Start straightening the glass when it's about two thirds full to create a nice head of foam.
  5. Let the foam settle for a few seconds.
  6. Enjoy. 

 Want to see how it's done? Visit Sylvester Schneider at his Oktoberfest on the East River event where liter steins will be poured to perfection to live oompah music.

SEE ALSO: How to drink espresso like an Italian

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Scientists just found another potential benefit to eating like you live on the Mediterranean

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olive oil

Just when you thought you'd run out of excuses to add olive oil to pretty much everything, science has given us yet another great reason.

In a study of older women published Monday in the medical journal JAMA, Spanish scientists found that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra olive oil appeared to help reduce the participants' risk of breast cancer when compared against two other groups of women on either a low-fat diet or a Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts.

The Mediterranean diet is modeled off of foods commonly eaten in countries on the Mediterranean Sea. It's typically high in fruits and vegetables, fish, and whole grains like whole wheat and brown rice.

This isn't the first study to link the Mediterranean diet with potential breast cancer risk reduction. A large 2013 study of women across 10 European countries found that women who followed the diet had a moderately reduced risk of breast cancer than those who did not follow the diet as closely.

Previous studies have also linked this style of eating with other health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and potential memory-related benefits.

For the latest study, researchers looked at more than 4,200 Spanish women between 2003 and 2009 who were between 60 and 80 and who were at high risk for heart disease, meaning they either had type 2 diabetes or a combination of risk factors like smoking.

They divided the women into three groups. One group was instructed to eat a Mediterranean diet plus four daily tablespoons of olive oil, another was told to eat the same Mediterranean diet but with 30 grams of nuts instead of olive oil, and a third was simply instructed to cut down on their fat intake. Out of all the groups, those instructed to eat the Mediterranean diet plus olive oil had the lowest average rate of breast cancer at the five-year follow-up of the study.

In other words, the researchers estimate, the women following the Mediterranean-and-olive-oil diet had a 62% lower relative risk of developing breast cancer compared with women on the low-fat diet during the five following years that they were studied.

The researchers said it was hard to pinpoint which was the most beneficial part of the diet. They estimate it could have been the fruit, vegetables, or maybe even the fish. And olive oil appeared to play a key role, since simply switching to a Mediterranean diet and adding nuts didn't appear to provide the same benefits.

It's important to keep in mind when looking at the study that all of the trial participants were white women. The study also kept in mind other factors that can determine breast cancer risk, such as family history, smoking habits, alcohol intake, etc.

The results were part of a larger study on heart health — those results were published in 2013. The authors of the study noted that the reason they looked at the connection between diet and breast cancer is that it's seen as a "modifiable component of lifestyle that could influence breast cancer development."

UP NEXT: There could be a super-simple way to lose weight that doesn't involve diet or exercise

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Go inside the swanky Silicon Valley hotel that Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison just bought for $71.6 million

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epiphany hotel

Larry Ellison reportedly just made another huge real estate investment.

The former Oracle CEO, whose net worth has been estimated to be as much as $47.2 billion, just paid $71.6 million for the Epiphany Hotel in Palo Alto. 

Property records uncovered by the Silicon Valley Business Journal indicate that Ellison made the purchase through a limited liability company associated with his personal investment arm, Lawrence Investments. The steep purchase price could even be a record for Santa Clara County. 

Located in what was once an apartment tower known as Casa Olga, the Epiphany was opened by Joie de Vivre Hotels in 2014. 

The 86-room hotel was designed with the area's tech pedigree in mind. A light display in the lobby, for example, moves along with any data set you enter, and there's a gallery of binary code art on another wall.

This isn't Ellison's first foray into the luxury market — in 2012, he paid a reported $500 million to own most of the Hawaiian island of Lanai. He owns two Four Seasons hotels in addition to a smaller, more traditional lodge on the island. 

SEE ALSO: The incredible real estate portfolio of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison

A large painting of a tree adorns the outside of the Epiphany in Palo Alto.

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Inside, you'll find a display of Edison light bulbs hanging from the ceiling.

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Project Edison, which was designed by a group of engineers from the IDEO Digital Shop, features a set of 100 light bulbs that can light up or move up and down according to any data stream you choose.

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See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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Take our 14-day plan to radically improve your finances

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BI Better Money 3x4

According to a 2015 survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, less than half of Americans keep close track of their spending, and nearly 30% aren't saving for retirement.

Clearly, there's room for improvement.

On the heels of our #BIBetter program, #BIBetterMoney is a 14-day self-improvement plan designed for the busy professional, featuring a simple task a day for two weeks to help you take control of your money.

We recommend participating with at least one other person, so you have more fun and keep each other in check. You can start on any Monday and should complete actions on their specified day when possible.

The following slides go through the days and the thought behind them in detail, and you can also reference our infographic calendar.

MONDAY, DAY 1: Get your 90-day number.

Let's dive right in.

In his book "Cold Hard Truth on Men, Women & Money," "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary recommends that before you take any steps to improve the way you manage your money, you get what he calls your 90-day number: A sum of every dollar you've spent and earned in the past three months.

"It's going to be a positive or negative number," he writes, "because money is black or white. There is no gray. You either have it or you don't."

You'll do this in two steps: First, add up your income, and next, add up your expenses. 

Income number - expenses number = 90-day number

If it's positive, you're starting off on the right foot. If it's negative, we have some work to do. And if it's hovering around zero, you're playing a dangerous game.



TUESDAY, DAY 2: Choose a system to track your spending.

You made a big effort yesterday, so today, we'll keep it quick: All you have to do is choose and implement a system to keep track of your income and expenses in the future, so the next time you want your 90-day number it will be available in a matter of minutes.

While you're welcome to break out a notebook and pen, you'll probably find it easier to take advantage of technology. Two of the most popular options are:

Mint, a website and app that you can connect to your credit cards and bank accounts. It automatically pulls in data from any connected account to log every expense and paycheck, so you can see the full picture of your finances in just a few clicks.

A spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, which requires more manual input but allows you to manipulate the data in myriad ways. If you're already a big Excel user, you might be more comfortable with this format, although you will need to take a minute or two every morning — or a few minutes once a week — to update it.



WEDNESDAY, DAY 3: Add up your debt.

All debt isn't equal, but it does have the same bottom line: You owe money to someone else, and they're charging you for the loan. The money you pay them is money you can't use elsewhere. Generally, experts divide debt into two categories:

  • Good debt, which has relatively low interest rates and which pays for something immeasurably valuable or accruing value. For example, mortgage and student loan debt. Paying off good debt is less urgent than paying off bad.
  • Bad debt, which has relatively high interest rates and pays for a depreciating asset, like credit card debt or a car loan. You'll want to pay this debt as soon as possible, because it gets more expensive by the day.

One of the hardest things for many people to do with debt is simply to face exactly how much they owe — so we'll get that out of the way today.

Log into your accounts and get the balance for any debt you've been avoiding or has been weighing on you (take note of the minimum monthly payment while you're there). Add it all up, and face the number: This is money to be repaid, and tomorrow, we'll start figuring out how.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider








A former Apple executive is selling his incredible $35 million California smart home

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4305 marina drive

Former Apple executive Michael Barnick spent millions building his dream house.

He started designing the contemporary home with a bevy of automated features in 2005, according to The Wall Street Journal.

But by the time it was completed — just a few weeks ago — he no longer needed the 10,000-square-foot mansion, as his kids are all grown up.

Located in Santa Barbara, California, the home is listed for $35 million, but Barnick told the Journal he only spent $30 million on it. Suzanne Perkins of Suzanne Perkins Realty has the listing.

Though he didn't live in the home, Barnick definitely made use of it. The design process taught him so much about home automation that he went on to found Quantum Integration, a company that installs smart home systems.

Keep scrolling for an inside-out tour.

SEE ALSO: Live like a Russian billionaire in this over-the-top Long Island mansion, which just hit the market for $100 million

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On a sleepy Santa Barbara street, 4305 Marina Drive sits high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Southwestern landscaping and reflecting pools welcome you into the home.



Inside, the house is light and airy — with fantastic water views.



It's packed to the rafters with gadgets and goodies. Lights, speakers, televisions, climate, window shades, gas fireplaces, and even door locks can be controlled remotely via a tablet or smartphone.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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The spectacularly successful life of Palmer Luckey, the 22-year-old who sold his startup to Facebook for $2 billion (FB)

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Palmer Luckey

Palmer Luckey isn't your average 20-something. 

He founded Oculus VR, the headset company that's been described countless times as the future of virtual reality.

Facebook, which acquired Oculus for $2 billion last year, sees its software as the big computing platform of the next 10 years.

Luckey's path to greatness doesn't follow the typical Silicon Valley roadmap.

Here's how he got where he is today:

 

SEE ALSO: Now, check out the fabulous life of Mark Zuckerberg, his new boss

Luckey was born in Long Beach, California on September, 19, 1992. His father Donald was a car salesman and his mother, Julie, a stay-at-home mom who homeschooled Luckey and his three younger sisters.



Throughout his childhood Luckey loved to tinker with electronics, building his own computers or gaming devices.

Source: Popular Mechanics 



For a while, he became fascinated by lasers and burned a small blind-spot into one of his retinas while experimenting with them.

Source: Vanity Fair 



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Jack Daniel's says its namesake is now 165 — here's how they make so much whiskey in a 149-year-old distillery

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jack daniels distilleryWhile there are no birth records for Jack Daniel, it's customary to celebrate the founder's birthday in September.

The distillery was founded when Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel ran away from home and started making whiskey with a Lutheran Minister when he was about seven years old.

"Church people started talking about how the minister was working for God on Sunday and then making liquor on Monday. In order to keep the church family happy the Minister sold the business to Jack for $25," distillery tour guide Jesse James told Business Insider.

Despite being one of the most valuable alcohol brands in the world, Jack Daniel's is only manufactured in a 149-year-old distillery in Lynchburg, Tenn., a site named on the US Department of the Interior’s Register of Historic Places.

The 1,700-acre operation has around 435 workers and ships out 119 million bottles in a year.

We took a tour to see how the whiskey is made.

SEE ALSO: This is the safe that killed whiskey distiller Jack Daniel

The Jack Daniel Distillery is located in Lynchburg, Tenn., a dry county that's a 90 minute drive from Nashville.



Everywhere you look there are creative uses of whiskey barrels.



There was already a crowd at 9 a.m. on a Saturday, with 1,300 guests expected over the course of the day.



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15 pictures of Prince Harry letting loose for his 31st birthday

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Prince HarryThe ever-playful Prince Harry of Wales was born to Charles, Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, on September 15, 1984.

In honor of his 31st birthday, we've collected 15 images that show off his princely sense of humor.

Known for being a bit of a playboy and international partier, it's no secret that the Prince has a goofy side.

Keep scrolling to see some of his silliest moments caught on camera.

(Captions by Sarah Jacobs and Reuters)

SEE ALSO: Prince William and Kate Middleton still receive a hefty allowance from Prince Charles

Here he is striking a pose with Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.



In the desert of Southern Afghanistan, he took a gleeful ride on an abandoned motorcycle.



He wore a Prince William mask during the Sport Relief Mile charity run on Flamengo beach in Rio De Janeiro.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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