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11 of the most beautiful new homes around the world

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capers

Every year, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) celebrates the most incredible new buildings from around the world. 

The 2017 finalists in the housing category, located in cities from Tokyo to Copenhagen, are no exception.

During a three-day event in Berlin in November, the WAF jury will name the World Building Of The Year, one of the most prestigious accolades in architecture.

Take a look at some of the most impressive housing projects from the WAF shortlist below.

SEE ALSO: This ready-made retrofit system can renovate old homes in just a few hours with a wrench

In a narrow alley in Tokyo, Japan, the House in the City features rooms in a staggered arrangement. It stretches four floors, so the family who lives there has plenty of room.

Architects: Daisuke Ibano + Ryosuke Fujii + Satoshi Numanoi



With ample trees and shrubs on its facade, the Binh House in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam brings nature into the city.

Architects: Vo Trong Nghia Architects



The Capers, a mixed-use redevelopment in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is comprised of two five-story towers. Their zig-zap shape has garnered them local nicknames like "the crooked buildings" and the "up-ended battleships."

Architects: RT+Q Architects

Source: ArchDaily



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FDR was related to 12 US presidents — here’s a breakdown of his family tree

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We recently came across a Snapple "real fact" that said US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was related to five US presidents by blood and six by marriage. We reached out to the FDR Presidential Library to see if this "real fact" was true.

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Google built a tiny Street View car to map out one of the world's largest model cities

17 stunning works of art created using only Microsoft Paint (MSFT)

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MSPaintHarryPotter2

On Monday, news broke that Microsoft is planning to end support for MS Paint later this fall. 

For the first time since it was introduced 32 years ago along with Windows 1.0, the program won't receive any future updates. 

Over the last decade, Paint has come back to prominence by users who draw intentionally bad doodles on internet photos.

And while those doodles can be hilarious, that doesn't mean Paint hasn't been used for something much more impressive.

In fact, dozens of artists have used it to craft amazingly detailed works of art.

From celebrity portraits to beautiful skylines, here are some of the most creative paintings made in MS Paint.

Lisa Eadicicco contributed to an earlier version of this story.

SEE ALSO: These were the top-selling items from Amazon's Prime Day around the world

Boston-based artist Patrick Hines has created some amazing images using MS Paint. This is a poster-style painting inspired by "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."



Hines did a series around Harry Potter, including this scene from "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hollows."



This is the scene of Mad-Eye Moody fighting Voldemort.



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One of Pablo Escobar's former mansions has been transformed into a luxury hotel where you can stay for $515 for night

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Casa Malca

Though there are few traces of its past left now, this luxury hotel on the Caribbean coast of Mexico was once a mansion owned by Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. 

Casa Malca, a stunning Mexican hotel near Tulum, was bought by renowned New York art collector and gallery owner Lio Malca in 2012.

Malca renovated the building and created a new boutique hotel that he filled with valuable pieces from his art collection, including works from Keith Haring, KAWS, and Marion Peck.

Here's what it looks like inside:

SEE ALSO: The 50 best restaurants in America

Casa Malca was formerly owned by notorious drug baron Pablo Escobar.



It was abandoned after he died in 1993 and subsequently bought by New York art dealer Lio Malca in 2012.



It's on the east coast of Mexico, outside Tulum.



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The 23 best used cars for young drivers

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Volkswagen VW Golf familyFor most young people and their parents, buying a first car is a major step.

One great option is to look at used cars, which can often be had for a fraction of the cost of brand-new models.

We came up with 23 used cars we think are the best for the young car buyer on a budget.

To make our list, we focused on cars that are available on the market right now for under $15,000. We looked for ones that are reliable, fun to drive, comfortable, attractive, economical, practical, and most of all, safe.

For safety, we checked out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) moderate front overlap crash test ratings for the cars we selected. Prices are based on current values available from Autotrader.com and reflect the lowest price we think a decent example with fewer than 75,000 miles on the odometer may cost.

SEE ALSO: These are the 20 best-selling cars and trucks in America

2009-Present Honda Fit

Starting price: $8,000 and up

IIHS crash test rating: Good

Why buy it: The Honda Fit has been an unqualified success across the globe for the automaker. The Fit offers fun, versatility, and reliability in a compact package. 

Honda's second generation Fit, sold from 2009 to 2012, is powered by the company's trusty 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 117. Since 2013, the third-gen Fit has been offered with a 130-horsepower, 4-cylinder unit. 



2012-Present Ford Focus

Starting price: $8,000 and up

IIHS crash test rating: Good

Why buy it: Since its inception in 1998, the Focus has been a star performer for Ford. But for years, Ford's US and European division sold different cars under the "Focus" name — with the European version much better received. For 2012, the third-generation Ford unified the model and finally gave the US Focus customers the European car they'd been waiting for.

Power for Focus comes from a 2.0-liter, 160-horsepower, inline-4 cylinder engine. People looking for higher performance can opt for the critically acclaimed 252 hp Focus ST — though even used examples of the model may be pricey.

 



2005-Present Honda Civic

Starting price: $8,500 and up

IIHS crash test rating: Good

Why buy it: The Honda Civic is bulletproof. If properly maintained, the car can go for well over 250,000 miles without any issues.  However, at this price point, it shouldn't be hard to come across examples will far fewer than 100,000 miles on the odometer. As one of the most popular cars in the world, spares are easy to come by and repairs are relatively affordable.

Being popular means that there is large aftermarket support for the car, so kids can customize a Civic to their liking for not much money. Also, the sporty and practical Si hatchback from the early 2000s is now available for under $10,000. And since it was only available with a manual gearbox, it teaches a good lesson.



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More than 63,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Macy's drop Ivanka Trump's brand

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Macy's

More than 63,000 people have signed a petition urging Macy's to drop Ivanka Trump's clothing line.

The petition, which was set up by women's rights organization UltraViolet, had 30,000 signatures within 24 hours of being posted online last Thursday, the Huffington Post reported.

It was launched during President Trump's "Made in America" week last week, during which the president hosted companies from 50 states across the US to showcase their products that have been made in America. 

The idea, according to the White House, was to honor "the incredible workers and companies who make 'Made in America' the world standard for quality and craftsmanship." 

Ivanka Trump stepped down from her clothing label in January to take on her role as first daughter and adviser to the president. But she was noticeably absent during "Made in America" week. Three days prior, The Washington Post released an exposé revealing the appalling conditions of factory workers who were manufacturing products for her brand. These workers were barely making enough money to live, The Washington Post reported. 

Macy's already removed Donald Trump merchandise from its stores in 2015, after he referred to Mexican immigrants as "rapists," but has not yet responded to The Washington Post's investigation into Ivanka Trump's clothing line.

"If thousands cause another outcry with this latest news, Macy's will drop Ivanka Trump — dealing a huge blow on her falsely-crafted image as an advocate for women," the petition reads.

Macy's has already faced pressure from its shoppers to drop the line after a #GrabYourWallet campaign was launched in October 2016, urging retailers to drop Trump brands. Several retailers like Nordstrom had already stopped selling Ivanka Trump's clothing line. 

Macy's did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

SEE ALSO: An army of women posing in Ivanka Trump clothes are spurring a social media craze

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Watch the most bizarre moments from Trump’s speech to the Boy Scouts of America

The main differences between Splenda, Equal, Sweet’N Low, and regular sugar


Go inside the swanky, Cuba-inspired lounge that was just named the best new cocktail bar in America

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Cocktail at Blackbird bar

This week, the 11th annual Spirited Awards — essentially the Oscars of the drinks world — crowned New York City's BlackTail the Best New American Cocktail Bar. 

While only less than a mile away from owners Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry's other award-winning sister barThe Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, BlackTail's atmosphere and cocktail recipes are worlds apart. BlackTail transports you to 1920s Havana, serving up colorful, punchy, and, at times, fruity cocktails.

Last fall, we met with BlackTail's bar manager and cocktail aficionado, Jesse Vida, to get the full story behind this beautiful new bar at the very southern tip of Manhattan in Battery Park. 

SEE ALSO: Here's the favorite drink of every US president

BlackTail is partially inspired by the Highball Express, a fleet of private planes that transported wealthy New Yorkers right off the Hudson River to Havana, Cuba, during Prohibition. The second they were over international waters, they could drink freely.



"We're telling the story of an American-style bar in Havana during Prohibition," Vida told Business Insider. "Havana became not only a place to go have fun, but a place to be seen."



From the decor to the menu, BlackTail pays homage to that time period, but with a modern twist. "We're putting a modern flair [on our cocktails] so we're using modern ingredients, and bringing the cocktails to what the palate level is now compared to what it was," he said.



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Forget job or appearance — a psychologist says the most important quality in a romantic partner is much harder to spot

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married couple selfie

I've been to a decent amount of weddings, so I've heard all the stuff about perfect couples who stick together through thick and thin, supporting each other when the going gets rough.

So far though, the most poetic description of sustainable love that I've ever heard came from Alexandra Solomon, a psychologist at Northwestern University.

"Two people who are able to competently handle all of the sh-- that hits the fan," she told me. "That's the biggest thing a long-term relationship needs in order to be successful."

Solomon teaches a course at Northwestern called "Marriage 101"; she recently published a book titled "Loving Bravely." In the book, Solomon guides readers on a journey toward relational self-awareness, which she defines as "the ability to take a curious stance vis a vis yourself."

In a recent article on PsychologyToday.com, Solomon flipped that concept on its head and showed readers how to look for a partner who is also relationally self-aware.

I spoke with Solomon about why it's important to find a relationally self-aware partner and she told me that "external trappings" — think jobs, income, appearance — tend to "come and go."

She went on:

"When I get laid off or when you get transferred, you want somebody who has the tools that it takes to sit in all of that complexity of: How do we value your job needs versus my job needs? What comes up in me when you tell me that you want to move us across the country? How do we work shoulder-to-shoulder, side-by-side on that kind of stuff?

"That to me is far more important than the job description somebody has."

dating date couple love It's not so easy to gauge someone's relational self-awareness level on the first few dates. But if you notice that the person blows up at the waiter for bringing them the wrong drink, or screams at another driver who cut them off, that's not a great sign.

In the Psychology Today article, Solomon also suggests paying attention to how the person talks about their past relationships. She writes: "People who don't have much relational self-awareness tell stories (especially love stories) that are full of blame and shame. They tend to cast themselves as victims and other people as suckers, losers, or fools."

On the other hand, a relationally self-aware person might say something like, "It wasn't the right time for us," or "It was painful, but I learned from the experience." As Solomon puts it, they can appreciate the "shades of gray."

Once you're in a relationship, notice how the person handles themselves during conflicts.

Solomon told me: "Without relational self-awareness, what happens is I slip into into blame — I see it as your fault because I'm blind to my own role in it — or I slip into shame — because I'm not paying attention to your role and I'm convinced that I'm the problem and I ruined the whole thing."

A relationally self-aware partner will realize that you both messed up and "ended up way down this rabbit hole of misunderstanding."

Ultimately, Solomon told me it's pretty useless to try to "get" your partner to become more relationally self-aware. A better bet is to try working on your own relational self-awareness and act as a role model for them.

SEE ALSO: A mathematical formula may be the best way to resolve a disagreement with your partner

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: RELATIONSHIP EXPERT: Trying to meet your partner’s needs is 'the most horrific advice I could imagine'

11 mesmerizing aerial photos of cities at night

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In an era when most human contact happens on screens, it's easy to feel disconnected from the world around you. Photographer Vincent Laforet likes to take flight for a little perspective.

For his 2015 book, "Air," the Pulitzer Prize-winning aerial photographer traveled to 10 cities around the world and captured the sights from a helicopter soaring overhead. "When you're above it all, you can see the world is much smaller than you realized," he said.

Laforet shared some of the incredible photos from his book with us. You can see more of Laforet's work on his website.

SEE ALSO: A photographer captured these shocking photos of one of the world's most densely populated slums

According to Laforet, the biggest challenge for an aerial photographer is sometimes ignoring the incredible panoramic views seen from the sky.



It's tempting to photograph the vast expanse, but that doesn't always translate well in a photograph. "You're just seeing a lot of sky and land," Laforet told Business Insider.



For his book "Air," Laforet instead pointed his long camera lens at the ground, picking out a specific spot to shoot. The composition makes the skyline look like a glowing circuit board.



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5 ways to spot a fake diamond

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diamond glowing eye woman reutersOne of the most common questions that gemologists are asked is how to tell the difference between a real diamond and a fake stone.

We spoke with Reyne Hirsch, a 20th-century decorative arts expert and consultant for the global online marketplace Lofty, about how to tell when a diamond is real, and when and why to take it to an expert.

Whether it's with jewelry you inherited or something you found at a garage sale, it's easy to do a few simple DIY tests. That necklace you think is just cheap costume jewelry could end up costing a small fortune.

Here are five easy ways to tell if the stone you have is actually a diamond.

SEE ALSO: 15 essential terms everyone should know before buying their first watch

A loupe is a magnifying glass that you can buy at any jewelry store and will let you take a closer look at your gem and setting. 

"When you're looking at a diamond, there are a few things you'll notice," Hirsch told us. "First, the majority of diamonds are made in nature so that means you're going to see some imperfections in the carbon. A fake stone would be perfect — absolutely perfect."

Hirsch explains that certain lab-grown stones will also look perfect through the loupe, and so you should be cautious before discarding perfect gems. It can be a clue, however, that you should take a closer look or bring the stone to an expert. 

Second, observe the diamond's edges. "When you're taking a look at a diamond through a loupe, a real stone is going to have sharp edges, and a fake stone will have rounded edges," Hirsch explained.

Lastly, look at the mounting and etchings, especially any marks that signify what metal was used. "If the metal is gold-plated or silver, chances are it's not a diamond, because why would you put a nice stone mounted in such a cheap metal?" Hirsch said. "Most diamonds are mounted in gold or set in platinum."

"Also take a look at the mounting itself and how that diamond is set," she added. “If the setting looks like it’s of poor quality, that probably means it’s not going to be a real diamond either.”



This is an easy test, since diamonds are one of the world's hardest materials and won't be scratched by the rough surface. "If it's a diamond, it will remain perfect. If it's a cubic zirconium, it will scratch it up," Hirsch said.



Breathe hot air on your diamond the same way you would if you were fogging up a bathroom mirror. 

"A fake diamond will fog up for a short period of time, whereas a real diamond will not because it won't retain the heat," Hirsch explained. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

No guy should wear board shorts — here's the swimsuit you should wear instead

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swimsuits

Every summer, a scourge plagues both beaches and swimming pools alike: the men's summer board short.

Designed to be worn during intense surf sessions (and other board-oriented sports), the short somehow creeped into everyday swimwear and has risen to default status.

This is a problem, as board shorts are generally useless as swimwear and are almost universally unflattering on most men.

Though men assume they function much the same as a traditional swim trunk, they don't — for three very important reasons:

  1. There's no mesh inside. This necessitates wearing underwear, which defeats the purpose of wearing a swimsuit and complicates the matter.
  2. A notoriously baggy fit. Most of the traditional surf brands put out board shorts with a terribly baggy fit, accented by way too much length, even going past the knees. It's the beach — it's ok to show a little skin.
  3. No elastic waistband. The waistband of board shorts is a traditional drawstring enclosure without the elastic that allows for a snug fit, which can end up revealing a little too much after a dive into the deep end or under a rogue wave.

They also generally come in tacky patterns and colors, and are universally looked at as slovenly and un-stylish.

Luckily, there is a better way, and the answer lies in going back to a traditional swim trunk.

A traditional swim trunk hits above the knee — or, even better, mid-thigh (you can do it) — and often has an elastic waistband with a drawstring and no fly. Its biggest pro, though, is its mesh lining, which allows you to forego underwear where it really shouldn't be anyway.

The differences between board shorts and regular swim trunks have muddied in recent years, making it even harder to say what exactly you should buy. There are now shorter board shorts in fun patterns with mesh lining, and swim trunks without elastic waistbands.

To make it easier, we'll list here three things you need for a great swim trunk:

  • An elastic waistband.
  • A short inseam.
  • A handsome pattern or color.

You don't have to spend a lot for a flattering swimsuit either. Even H&M makes a decent-looking pair of trunks, as do perennial favorites J.Crew and Bonobos

SEE ALSO: 17 things every guy needs in his closet for summer

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How grown men can actually look good in shorts

6 major US cities could be underwater within 80 years — here are the disturbing ‘after’ images

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If the worst climate-change predictions come true, hundreds of coastal US towns and cities — from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Galveston, Texas — could disappear underwater by 2100.

The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Agency released a report in January that hinted at the possibility of an "extreme" sea-level-rise scenario that could cause chronic flooding to affect as many as 670 coastal communities. That scenario is considered unlikely but possible.

The research group Climate Central took the projections laid out in NOAA's report and created a plug-in for Google Earth that shows how catastrophic the damage would be if the flooding happened today. You can install it (directions here) and see anywhere in the US.

Join the conversation about this story »

There's even more evidence that one type of diet is the best for your body and brain

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hiker happiness joy strength fitness exercise mountain climber Aoraki National Park new zealand outside

In a world dominated by celebrity fad diets that range from absurd, like Reese Witherspoon's alleged "baby-food diet," to absurdly unaffordable, such as the $200 "moon dust"-infused smoothie that Gwyneth Paltrow drinks, many people don't believe there's a single best diet for your health.

But a growing body of evidence suggests that a plant-based diet— which focuses on vegetables while incorporating whole grains and lean proteins — reigns supreme. It's been found to be ideal for losing weight, staying lean, and keeping the mind sharp.

Plant-based diets are "good for the environment, your heart, your weight, and your overall health," according to US News and World Report's most recent report on the best eating plans.

Such diets come in many forms, but a new study suggests that the two best for protecting the brain from age-related cognitive decline are the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet, a version of the Mediterranean plan that focuses on "brain-healthy" foods.

avocado smoked salmon blueberries healthy food meal bowl tomatoes lunchThe Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, olive oil, and fish; it's low in red meat, processed foods, poultry, and dairy. The MIND diet emphasizes green leafy vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, seafood, poultry, olive oil, and wine. Those following this regimen limit or eliminate red meat, butter and stick margarine, cheese, pastries, sweets, and fried foods. 

Mediterranean and MIND for the mind

For the new study, published July 25 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, researchers looked at data from close to 6,000 older adults who participated in a large study on health and retirement. First, they asked participants about their diet and the types of foods they ate or did not eat. Then they measured their memory and attention skills using reliable tests like word lists and backward counting exercises.

The researchers compared the participants' diets to how they performed on the cognitive tests. Those whose eating plans lined up with Mediterranean and MIND-style diets did significantly better than those on other types of diets did.

In fact, the more closely aligned their diets were with a Mediterranean-style plan, the lower their risk of scoring poorly on the brain tests.

"These findings lend support to the hypothesis that diet modification may be an important public health strategy to protect against neurodegeneration during aging," Claire McEvoy, the lead author of the paper and a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of California San Francisco, wrote in the paper.

older man elderly man jogging nature running exercise thinking outdoorsResearchers still aren't sure why these type of eating plans appear to be so beneficial for the brain, but they have some clues.

Both diets are rich in antioxidants and two types of healthy fat — monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids. Previous studies have found a link between these ingredients and a reduced risk of dementia as well as higher cognitive performance. And the green vegetables and berries emphasized in the MIND diet have been shown to help protect against progressive loss of the structure or function of brain cells. This loss, known as neurodegeneration, is a key characteristic of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

But plant-based diets aren't just good for the brain — they have key benefits for the body as well.

Why plant-based diets are good for the body

Cara Anselmo, a nutritionist and dietitian at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, told Business Insider that she frequently advises her clients to ramp up their intake of plant-based foods and cut back on red meat and refined carbohydrates like white bread.

toast avocado tomato sandwichTo keep your energy levels up and help you feel healthy in the long term, your diet needs to feed more than your stomach, Anselmo told Business Insider. It has to satiate your muscles, which crave protein; your digestive system, which runs best with fiber; and your tissues and bones, which work optimally when they're getting vitamins from food.

A plant-based diet's combination of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and fats accomplishes that goal.

This balance is also key to keeping you full after a meal and energized throughout the day so you don't feel the need to overeat, Nichola Whitehead, a registered dietitian with a private practice in the UK, told Business Insider.

"You need to have a balanced meal — things like whole grains, fiber, and vegetables — in order to sustain your blood sugar. Empty calories [like white bread or white rice] give a temporary fix," she said.

Plant-based diets also tend to reduce the risk of certain diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.

"When you look at overall dietary patterns it's a more whole-foods, plant-based diet that tends to be healthier in terms of less disease risk," Anselmo said. "People get caught up in things like, 'Well, how much iron or Vitamin C does this have?' But the reality is that the whole foods are just going to naturally be higher in those things."

SEE ALSO: Americans have been making a huge diet mistake for 100 years — here's what they should do instead

DON'T MISS: Juice is the biggest con of your life, whether it's squeezed by hand or a $400 machine

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here’s how the American diet has changed in the last 52 years


Fender created a clever new product to tackle its biggest business challenge

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Fender Play

The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has been around since 1946 and has created some of the most iconic implements for creating cool sounds in the history of humanity.

The Telecaster and Stratocaster electric guitars are icons of rock, pop, country, and just about everything in between. Bruce Springsteen, Chrissie Hynde, Buddy Holly, Mark Knopfler, the Edge, Flea, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Marr, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Sheryl Crow, and countless others have wielded Fender axes.

So Leo Fender's company has inspired a few talented musicians in its history. But it's also inspired innumerable amateurs to pick up guitars and play. 

But there's a problem — according to Fender, 90% of people who take up the instrument will abandon it after a year. On one hand, a lot of folks are still buying Fender guitars. But on the other, they're not becoming lifelong customers due to this "valley of death" for playing. The loss of nine out of every 10 new customers would be a significant threat to any business executive.

Fender CEO Andy Mooney, who joined the privately held company in 2015 after a long career at Nike and then Disney, where he oversaw consumer products, wants to change that. 

"When I get a new job, I'm hungry for data," he told Business Insider. 

Crunching the numbers

Fender Play

Under Mooney's leadership, Fender undertook comprehensive consumer research and in addition to the alarming statistic about new buyers putting down their guitars and never picking them up again, the company gathered some more positive information.

Encouragingly, 50% of new buyers are women — the guitar business, as anyone who has spent any time hanging out at their local Guitar Center can attest, has often been viewed as a boys' club, with aspiring male rock gods inspired by the guitar legends of the past.

But those giants — Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Slash — were most often witnessed slinging electric guitars over their shoulders. 

"Women are gravitating more toward acoustic guitars," Mooney said. The big influence? Taylor Swift, who has moved the needle for female players like no other in recent years. 

Fender also discovered that buying online solves a major impasse for customers, chiefly their insecurity about dealing with traditional brick-and-mortar stores, an intimidating environment for both genders.

Critically, Mooney said that the 10% of players who don't give up become lifetime enthusiasts and buy seven guitars and numerous amplifiers (another huge category for Fender). And these days, the committed players are spending four times as much on learning the instrument as they do on buying gear — and they're educating themselves online.

Online learning

Fender Play

Enter Fender Play, a $20-per-month subscription program that seeks to professionalize the maze of guitar education currently available on the internet (Fender is currently offering a 30-day fee trial, and the program has both a desktop and mobile offering). It's easy to get guitar instruction online, especially on YouTube, where dozens of educators offer tutorials on everything from how to play heavy-metal tunes to how to change your strings.

Fender's goal was to combine the company's brand with high-caliber, systematic instruction, delivered by appealing, accomplished teachers, employing sophisticated video and an easy-to-use interface.

Fender recruited experts from the University of Southern California and Musician’s Institute to create "instructor-guided, song-driven video lessons," the company said.

"Each player gets a personalized learning path that enables even brand-new players to master chords, foundational core techniques and riffs in minutes."

The bottom line is that Fender Play provides what most new players want but have a difficult time getting: quick results. Traditional music instruction typically starts with fundamentals, giving students a basis for performance. But as Mooney noted, a lot of new players have no interest in getting on stage; they just want to learn their favorite songs (and those songs might not be what we think of as guitar music). 

Quick results come form learning stuff is small bits, hitting small goals, and then putting the whole thing together to make music rather than simply acquiring a bunch of base skills with the far-off objective of someday strumming out "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."

A road test

Fender Play

I sampled Fender Play at an event the company held for the press earlier this year and was impressed. A simple micro-lesson on arpeggiating chords was short and simple and effective. That's just the tip of the iceberg, but the point is that you don't have to tackle larger objectives if you don't want to. You can explore some technical skills but do it all in one place, with a consistent group of instructors (including the excellent Jen Trani, who any beginning player will encounter on YouTube from her stint providing lessons for now-defunct Mahalo). 

I'm putting the program through a longer road-test, so stay tuned.

The thing about guitar is that instrument is actually rather difficult to come to grips with initially. It isn't hard to learn some simple pop songs, but a fair amount of early practice is required, and that's probably why so many folks bail out before their one-year anniversary.

Fender Play's appealing idea is make both results and practice much easier and less time-consuming. And the idea, for Mooney, represents a big opportunity.

"We want to nurture our core business," he said, "But we're excited about digital products and services."

SEE ALSO: This legendary guitar was made entirely with wood from the plant that tequila comes from

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How superstar DJ Steve Aoki built an empire by giving away his music

The 50 best restaurants in America

The future of cannabis is vaping — here's how it works

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The days of rolling joints are coming to an end. In 2017, more and more people are choosing to consume marijuana electronically.

People use electronic vaporizers with cannabidiol (CBD)-rich hemp oil while attending the International Cannabis Association Convention in New York, in this October 12, 2014 file photo. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Just like so many things about life in the post-smartphone world, cannabis is being made more convenient and accessible through modern technology. Rather than buying cannabis, rolling a joint, and burning plant matter, more and more people are turning to vaping — a far easier, more modern way to consume cannabis. You simply purchase plant matter or a small cartridge of oil (depending on the vaping device), load it into an inexpensive pen, and you're ready to go.

Bloom Farms (cannabis vaporizer) 

As laws allowing adult cannabis use continue to pass in states across the US, cannabis oils, in particular, have increased in popularity — and they're sure to continue on that path. It's easy to see why: They're inexpensive, easy to use, and discreet. In California, the largest state economy in the US, companies like Bloom Farms and Dark Heart are pioneering leaders in the cannabis oil market. Their products look just like the easy-to-use, crowd-friendly vaporizers seen above. 

But what in the world is cannabis oil? How is it made? Is it safe? Here's what we know about cannabis oils, the future of mainstream cannabis use.

SEE ALSO: The best marijuana vaporizer for every type of person

DON'T MISS: California’s legal marijuana market is on the verge of exploding

How do you "vape" cannabis?

There are two primary ways to vape cannabis: Vaping cannabis oil, or vaping cannabis itself.

Companies like Pax offer devices for vaping plant matter — you insert a small amount of crumbled cannabis into the device and it heats up just to the point of burning psychoactive components like THC. Those are popular, but far more popular are devices that vaporize cannabis oil — sold in disposable cartridges, easy to carry, and none of the hassle.

There are several different devices for vaporizing cannabis oil, but the most common is the vape pen you see above. It's a simple, disposable device that can be used with simple, disposable cannabis oil cartridges. The pen component recharges via USB (or plugs into a wall with a USB adapter), and charges often last for at least one day.

Due to the universality of cannabis oil cartridges, they can be plugged in to most tobacco vaporizers — if you want to use your own rig for whatever reason, you likely can.

In the case of the standard vape pen, there is no concept of "on" or "off." You simply pull from the mouthpiece of the pen and it lights up, slightly heating the oil and enabling you to inhale cannabis oil vapor.



What is cannabis oil?

Instead of thinking of cannabis oil as a single product, think of it like a product category. Here's how Bloom Farms CEO Michael Ray described cannabis oil in a recent interview with Business Insider:

"Cannabis oil is the essential oil of the planet. Much like lavender oil, or other essential oils, cannabis oil is extracted from the plant materials and that's about it. It's the essential oil of the cannabis plant."

Ray is speaking to the direct product of extraction — as you might've guessed, cannabis oil is derived from the same plant matter that's normally found inside of joints. Since there are different methods for extracting cannabis oil from cannabis plants, there are also many different results of different types of extraction.

What you get from any given provider of cannabis oil can differ greatly. Some cannabis oil makers blend their product with the oils of other plants (like peppermint or lavender); some makers only offer ultra-high potency oil, and some make a variety of options.

In the case of Bloom Farms, a popular brand in California, extraction means more than just distilling the main psychoactive ingredient (THC). Here's Ray:

"There are thousands of elements. Everything that gives it any sort of flavor and smell (those are 'terpenes'); in cannabis you have several cannabinoids (whether it be CBD, THC, THC-A, THC-B). It can turn into a very complex conversation. But what it is: It's 100% cannabis oil, and in it is everything that makes up cannabis."



What's in cannabis oil?

Since cannabis oil is the derivative of cannabis plant matter, it contains many of the same elements. These include but are not limited to the following:

-Psychoactive properties, created by "cannabinoids" like THC.

-Terpenes (the millions of naturally-occurring chemicals that give cannabis its flavor and smell).

-Non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD.

In the case of a company like Dark Heart, which makes the Alchemy line of vape pens and vape pen cartridges, those elements are mixed with traditional aroma therapy essential oils like lavender and chamomile. Here's Dark Heart marketing manager Savannah Hanks explaining how that works:

"For example: We have 'Awaken,' and this one is a Sativa [a type of cannabis]. But it's also got known aromatherapy terpenes in it such as peppermint and lemongrass and citrus, which are known to be very energizing botanicals. So we combined that with a Sativa to make a very energizing experience when you consume the cannabis."

The idea with a product like Alchemy from Dark Heart is that you're buying an experience ("awaken") rather than having to know about THC amounts of types of cannabis. Dark Heart also offers a more traditional high-potency oil if you're looking for something more straightforward.



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Inside the 'co-living' spaces where millennials pay over $1,400 a month for maid service and instant friends

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common coliving san francisco 2622

If you've ever searched for an apartment on Craigslist, Common is coming for you.

Founded in 2015, the shared-housing startup offers fully furnished apartments across New York, the Bay Area, Chicago, and Washington, DC. Common eliminates the hassle of finding an apartment and dealing with landlords.

Residents, or "members," can join these communities and instantly tap into amenities like free internet, maid service, and instant friends. But such convenience doesn't come cheap. Monthly rent at Common ranges from $1,325 to $2,600 depending on the location and type of room.

The market for communal living, or "co-living," spaces is quickly crowding. Companies like Open Door, HubHaus, and WeLive, a subsidiary of co-working giant WeWork, are competing for millennials' dollars as young people continue moving to high-priced urban areas.

In the last month, Common revealed it's adding properties in Chicago, Queens, and Oakland to its growing real-estate portfolio. Take a look inside two of its new residences to see what co-living is like.

SEE ALSO: What is co-living and why is it popular?

Common is a sweet solution for city transplants — if they can afford it.



The company's newest property is a 12-unit residence in the up-and-coming (read: fast-gentrifying) Hoover-Foster neighborhood in west Oakland, California. Rent starts at $1,425.

The new property was announced on July 26 and opens in August.



The building is laid out similar to a dorm, with 45 furnished bedrooms spread across 12 shared suites. Three to four suite-mates share an open-concept living room and kitchen.

Common offers a standard 12-month lease, as well as a six-month option for more flexibility.



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11 successful people who get by on hardly any sleep

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Donald Trump speech

Sleep deprivation is no joke.

Even moderate fatigue can hit you as hard as alcohol intoxication, according to a helpful chart from the Harvard Business Review.

However, many top executives and leaders seem to swear by skimping on shut eye.

Some of them might be part of the "sleepless elite." Others are probably just good at masking the effects of exhaustion.

Unless you're one of those lucky people who doesn't get tired, your best bet is to avoid emulating these individuals when it comes to your sleep routine:

SEE ALSO: 5 successful people who always get a full night of sleep

DON'T MISS: 18 people who prove you don't have to wake up incredibly early to be successful

Twitter cofounder and CEO and Square CEO and founder Jack Dorsey sleeps four to six hours a night

Being at the head of two exciting tech startups doesn't leave too much time for rest. In 2011, Dorsey told Kara Swisher that he was spending eight to 10 hours a day at Square, and eight to 10 hours a day at Twitter.

That left him somewhere around four to six hours a night to sleep, possibly less when travel time is factored in. He still manages to get up at 5:30 every morning to take a jog.



President Donald Trump gets three to four hours of sleep a night

According to The Daily News, Trump credits his success to sleeping only three to four hours each night to stay a step ahead of his competition.

"How does somebody that's sleeping 12 and 14 hours a day compete with someone that's sleeping three or four?" he asked the Daily News.



PepsiCo Chairperson and CEO Indra Nooyi gets four hours of shut eye each night

One of the world's most prominent female executives since getting Pepsi's top job in 2007, Nooyi sleeps a meager four hours a nightaccording to CNN Money.

She's no stranger to long hours, having worked the graveyard shift as a receptionist while getting her Master's at Yale. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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