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The 25 Biggest Landowners In The US

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jeff bezos amazon

America's 100 biggest landowners increased their private holdings by 500,000 acres in the past year, according to The Land Report, which just released its annual list of landowners by acreage.

That's slightly down from 2013, when the top 100 added 700,000 acres to their holdings. Even so, it means these land tycoons control more than 30 million acres, or almost 2% of America's land mass.

Media tycoon John Malone, who owns 2.2 million acres — more than twice as much land as the state of Delaware — tops the list for the fourth year running. We're taking a closer look at the top 25 land owners. You can download the full report here.

#25 Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos owns 290,000 acres.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos bought a 290,000-acre ranch in Texas in 2004, and his aerospace firm Blue Origin uses it to test space vehicles.

Data provided by The Land Report.



#24 The Nunley cattle-ranching family owns 301,500 acres.

The Nunley brothers have been in the ranching business for more than 70 years, and specialize in the Santa Gertrudis breed of cow. They own holdings in Texas and New Mexico, including a major cow-calf operation.

Data provided by The Land Report. 

 



#23 The Collins family, who have a forest products company, owns 310,472 acres.

Privately-owned, The Collins Companies runs timber operations from Pennsylvania to Oregon. Since 2010, they've added around 17,000 acres to their holdings.

Data provided by The Land Report.



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The Best 'Cheap Eats' In San Francisco

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4505 meats sfEating amazing food doesn't have to break the bank. 

In San Francisco, there are some amazing restaurants that you can enjoy on any budget. 

We asked our friends at The Infatuation, a restaurant review site, to compile a list of the best "cheap eats" in San Francisco. 

From super burritos to pho, there's plenty of delicious stuff you can get on the cheap.

Ike's Place has an incredible menu of 200 sandwiches.

3489 16th Street

Each of the sandwiches has a funny name, like "Pastrami-Charmed Life," "Nacho Girl," and "Going Home For Thanksgiving."

The original Ike's opened in the Castro in 2007, but they've since expanded to locations in Oakland, Santa Rosa, Salinas, Cupertino, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Monterey, Danville, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Tempe, and Mesa, Arizona.

Read The Infatuation's review of Ike's Place here » 



Arinell Pizza is as close to New York-style pizza as you'll get in San Francisco.

509 Valencia Street

The restaurant itself is nothing fancy, and it's cash-only, but Mission locals love the pizza's thin, crispy crust.

Plus, the $3-a-slice price tag makes it the perfect late-night indulgence.



Try some amazing pita wraps at Souvla in Hayes Valley.

517 Hayes Street

Pair soft and chewy pita with your choice of either pork, chicken, lamb, or veggie. There's also four types of frozen Greek yogurt, with unconventional flavors like olive oil topped with sea salt and another served with baklava crumbles and honey.

The food is affordable, too, with entrees that range from $9 to $12. 

Read The Infatuation's review of Souvla here »



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Here's Exactly What To Say When Your Kid Asks, 'Are We Rich?'

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curious kid

Kids are experts at putting their parents on the spot.

So when your little sleuth asks, "Are we rich?" there's a very simple answer for families anywhere on the economic spectrum:

"Why do you ask?"

This is New York Times personal finance columnist Ron Lieber's go-to answer for any money question from a child, according to his upcoming book "The Opposite Of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Generous, Grounded, And Smart About Money."

The simple response does two things: It buys parents a minute to collect their thoughts instead of spitting out a reflexive "yes," "no," or "none of your business," and it gets to the root of why your child is asking in the first place. 

With "Are we rich?" in particular, Lieber writes that the question can lead to discussions on possessions, wealth, and what it actually means to be "rich."

He recommends asking open-ended questions to steer the conversation to the conclusion that we don't know much about our neighbors' money, and that being rich isn't as important as having other qualities, like kindness and creativity.

Or, you can leave the more in-depth conversation for later. One mom and sociology professor whose story is recounted in the book took a straightforward approach when her third-grade son asked if his family was rich. "It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do as a parent, but I looked him in the eye and said 'yes,'" she told Lieber. "And that was the end of it. You're supposed to wait for them to follow up and get into it, but that was it. He wanted to know, and I told him the truth."

SEE ALSO: These Are The Strategies That Make Self-Made Millionaires Rich

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Welcome To Lanai, Oracle Billionaire Larry Ellison's $300 Million Hawaiian Paradise

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lanai

In 2012, Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison — who stepped down from his position as CEO on Sept. 18 — bought a 97% stake in the Hawaiian island of Lanai for a reported $300 million. 

His enormous purchase includes pretty much everything on the island — small businesses like local restaurants, shops, and galleries, and large businesses like the two Four Seasons hotels on the island. He owns two golf courses, the community swimming pool, the water company, and a cemetery. He also owns nearly a third of all of the island's housing. 

Ellison's plans for Lanai are still rather mysterious, and the transition of ownership to the Oracle billionaire has been controversial among residents.

Lanai has played a number of roles in a fascinating history stretching hundreds of years, and there's plenty to see here.

Lanai is 140 square miles of land, the sixth-largest of the Hawaiian islands and the smallest that's publicly accessible.



The island has 47 miles of gorgeous, dramatic coastline.



Lanai has some fabulous beaches, like this secluded spot on the northwest shore called Polihua Beach. Located just across the channel from Molokai, this beach is frequented by endangered green sea turtles and humpback whales.

Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority



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Dubai's New Supercar Ambulance Can Go 160 MPH

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Dubai Lotus Ambulance

Dubai has announced the creation of the fastest paramedic vehicle in the world: a 264 horsepower Lotus Evora. Capable of racing to patients at a top speed of 185 mph, it is (most likely) the fastest land vehicle to carry medical equipment. 

Though the Lotus' tiny trunk is not large enough for a patient, it is large enough for much of the medical gear carried in larger ambulance vans. Heart rate and blood pressure monitors, a defibrillator, oxygen supply, and a general first aid kit could race to your aid faster than ever before. 

According to paramedics, the supercar can reach patients two to four minutes faster than a traditional paramedic's vehicle, though Dubai's notorious traffic may complicate that figure a bit.

"Anyone who needs to be rescued will care about getting reached in a short time," Zaid Al Mamari told the BBC.

Some have called into question the need for such a fast response from an emergency vehicle. Wired notes that most research shows that any response time longer than 5 minutes has little-to-no effect on patient mortality.

Additionally, faster speeds in city traffic could pose a danger to the 50 paramedics being trained to drive the car — medical specialists by training who are by no means professional drivers.

The vehicle debuted in the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition held annually in Dubai. It will be shown off in tourist areas before seeing active duty, where it may see action every day. Two Ford Mustangs will also see service as ambulances. 

 

Dubai citizens are no stranger to emergency vehicle supercars, as their police force already has an entire fleetincluding an Aston Martin One-77, a Bentley Continental GT, and a Ferrari FF.

SEE ALSO:  12 Police Cars So Awesome You'll Want To Get Arrested

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The 10 US Cities Where Young Adults Are Flocking After College

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Houston, Texas skylineCity Observatory released a report Monday about how college-educated young people are flocking to cities instead of suburbs.

Well-educated young adults are 126% more likely to move to a city after college than they were in 2000, according to the report, which The New York Times linked toBut they're not just moving to New York or Washington, DC.

Denver, Nashville, San Diego and Salt Lake City, among others, are also attracting these well-educated young adults, who are disproportionately concentrated in the country's 51 largest cities. 

Here are the 10 US cities where the population of college-educated residents age 25 to 34 grew the most between 2000 and 2012, ranked by % change:

  1. Houston — 49.8%
  2. Nashville — 47.6%
  3. Denver — 46.6%
  4. Austin — 44.3%
  5. Portland, Oregon — 37.3%
  6. Washington, DC — 36.3%
  7. Buffalo — 33.5%
  8. Baltimore — 32%
  9. Los Angeles — 30.4%
  10. Pittsburgh — 28.8%

There are a number of reasons why young educated people might be drawn to all of these cities — from Austin, Texas's music scene to the abundance of government jobs in Washington, DC.

Houston — which saw the highest increase in educated young people — would be a practical place to settle down. It's known as America's No. 1 job creator and houses more Fortune 500 headquarters than anywhere else in the country except New York.

SEE ALSO: The 11 Cities With The Most Opportunity Right Now

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This Chinese All-Glass Dining Room Dangles 60 Feet In The Air Suspended By A Crane

Here Comes 5G — The Technology That Will Make Your Smartphone Nearly 50 Times Faster


Fashion Designer Oscar De La Renta Dies

20 Tricks For Sitting At Your Desk Without Hurting Your Back

Lay's Is Going To Start Selling Wasabi Ginger Chips — Here's What They Taste Like

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wasabi ginger lays

Wasabi Ginger is the winner of the annual Lay's potato chip "Do Us A Flavor" contest. 

The flavor beat out the other finalists, which included Cappuccino, Mango Salsa, and Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese. More than a million people voted.

Ram Krishnan, Frito-Lay's chief marketing officer, told The Associated Press that this year's winner is evidence that American tastes are changing to include more ethnic food.

"We're kind of getting into a new flavor territory," Krishnan told Candice Choi at AP. "When I went to school, Mexican food was exotic."

We tried all the flavors when they were released in July, and everyone loved the Wasabi Ginger flavor. 

The chips are kettle-cooked, giving them a light and airy texture that melds with the Asian flavors. 

"By FAR the best!" one reviewer wrote. "Kept coming back for more." 

Another person who tasted the flavor said it "has an awesome kick to it moments after you bite into it."

"It's the chip with the biggest taste punch out of the four," the tester said. 

The spicy wasabi flavor was addictive, but the sweet ginger balances it out and keeps any spicy aftertaste away. 

lays chips

These chips have a little bit of everything. They're savory, sweet, spicy, and salty. 

The flavor is also much more original than our other newsroom favorite, the cheddar bacon chip. 

The Wasabi Ginger flavor won the contest for its originality and taste. We'd definitely recommend buying these chips. 

Last year's contest winner, Cheesy Garlic Bread, is still being sold nationwide.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks Might Stop Spelling Your Name Wrong

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America's Hottest Professor Is More Than Just A Pretty Face — Here's Why Students Love His Class

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David Daniel Hottest Professor

For the third straight year, James Madison University psychology professor David Daniel was named the Hottest Professor in America based on student reviews on Rate My Professor. Business Insider spoke to Daniel last year. That post is reprinted below.

The hottest professor in America is much more than a pretty face.

James Madison University psychology professor David Daniel has again topped Rate My Professors' list of "Hottest Professors."

Business Insider spoke to Daniel about teaching, his background in standup comedy, and, of course, being a hot professor.

"The biggest challenge about being the hottest professor is getting the students to pay attention during class," Daniel said. He describes himself as a combination of Brad Pitt and Eric Cartman from "South Park."

Daniel said he's never been on RateMyProfessor, in order to give his students the freedom to post freely — "I tell my students 'that's for you guys.'"

His students have flocked to the website, mostly using it as a forum to exalt Daniel's looks, teaching ability, and sense of humor. One student writes, "Absolutely phenomenal teacher! Loved the subject, loved his students, and his clothing choice is hilarious! Best teacher I've ever had. Made me love going to class. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!"

An avid surfer and former standup comedian, Daniel primarily teaches general education classes filled with students from a variety of majors, many of whom are just starting college. His classes are among the most popular at JMU, with his 300 students filling the school's largest classroom.

It's important for Daniel's students not only to pass the class, but also have skills they take with them after graduation. "I try to connect the class to their lives and their majors," he said.

Before he entered the classroom full-time, Daniel spent 13 years as a standup comic, something he said he has to turn off when teaching. Anything funny that comes up during a lecture is either inadvertent or meant to help his students understand the material.

"Teachers who use humor to be popular are lame," he said.

He described comedy as something tricky and fluid, and that you can "never relax" because there's "always a new crowd" — not unlike teaching.

"The analogies for teaching and comedy are right there," he said.

As he writes in a recent Reddit AMA, "In both instances, I am trying to get the people in front of me to understand the world the way I need them to to get my point across. Teaching is harder in the sense that not everyone wants to be there. But, comedy was harder because people were drunker."

Besides RMP, Daniel has recieved numerous accolades for his teaching prowess, including a teaching excellence award from the American Psychological Association and inclusion in the Princeton Review's 2012 book of the "Best 300 Professors."

Daniel has also been honored at JMU, netting the 2013 Outstanding Teaching Award from the school's psychology department, and perhaps most impressively, being named the 2013 "Best Professor" by JMU students.


NOW WATCH: 6 Scientifically Proven Things Men Can Do To Be More Attractive

SEE ALSO: The 25 Best College Professors In America

FOLLOW US! Check Out BI Colleges On Facebook

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Facebook Billionaire Sean Parker Is Building An App As Part Of His $2.5 Million Wedding Settlement

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sean parker wedding

"Over-the-top" doesn't begin to describe the summer 2013 wedding of Facebook billionaire Sean Parker and singer-songwriter Alexandra Lenas.

Parker spent $4.5 million to transform a campsite in Big Sur, California, into a magical forest paradise, complete with animal-skin chairs, silk flower petals, goats, and a pony. 

All 364 guests — including Jack Dorsey, Mark Pincus, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes — were given Tolkien-esque costumes made by Academy Award-winning designer Ngila Dickson to wear during the ceremony. 

Parker faced heavy criticism after the wedding, because the preparation required installing temporary structures in an ecologically sensitive area, and he failed to obtain the proper permits from the California Coastal Commission.

As part of a $2.5 million settlement with the Commission, Parker has agreed to build an app that will help people find and access public beaches in California. The app will belong to the Commission, and Parker will  develop it himself, the Mercury News reports.

According to Sarah Christie, a spokeswoman for the Commission, enlisting Parker's help "gives us access to the most cutting-edge technology," she said. "This is an example of lemons turning to lemonade."

All of California's beaches are public, but private landowners sometimes block access with gates and "No Trespassing" signs. In September, the Commission ruled that Silicon Valley VC Vinod Khosla was in violation of California law when he changed public access to Martin's Beach, where he owns property.

Parker's app, which isn't finished, would help users find ways to find public-access points at beaches in the area. A similar app was built for Malibu beaches earlier this year after entertainment mogul David Geffen blocked a path that led to the beach there. 

Parker will also pay $1.4 million in grants, which will go toward preservation and outreach efforts in Big Sur.

"Alexandra and I are proud to support organizations that promote education, access to and the conservation of the Big Sur coast," Parker said in a press release. "In working closely with the California Coastal Commission to select the recipients, we believe that these grants build on our long-standing commitment to Big Sur and will help ensure that present and future generations continue to benefit from this American treasure."

SEE ALSO: The 12 Most Over-The-Top Weddings In Tech

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BRANSON: How 3 Bikini-Clad Women Helped Me Set Another Guinness World Record

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Virgin Group founder Richard Branson recently broke yet another Guinness World Record by upping the ante after an iconic photo of the mogul kitesurfing with a nude woman went viral.

In March, Branson successfully kitesurfed with three women riding along with him, and Guinness World Records officially acknowledged the achievement as the "world record for most people riding a kitesurf board."

Branson told us the backstory behind the record-setting feat.

Produced by Graham Flanagan. Additional camera by Justin Gmoser.

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The Best Las Vegas Hotel For Every Kind Of Traveler

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Dancers SLS Las Vegas

Whether you come to party, see the shows, or indulge in over-the-top meals at Michelin-starred restaurants, Las Vegas offers something for everyone.

Here is our guide for the best Vegas hotels for every kind of traveler. 

Best For A Romantic Getaway: Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas

One of the most luxurious hotels in Vegas, the Mandarin Oriental feels like a respite from the hectic Strip just outside. The hotel offers amenities that are perfect for a couple looking for a romantic escape, like spacious rooms with elegant Asian-inspired decor, a top spa that is renowned for its couples massages, and romantic restaurants.

Rooms start from $215 per night.

Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas



Best For A Bachelorette Party: The Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino

The Palazzo is home to two of Vegas' hottest nightclubs, Tao and Lavo, and several hot restaurants including Bouchon and SUSHISAMBA. After a night of partying, the bachelorette and her crew can get treatments at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, one of the best spas in Vegas.

Rooms start from $159 per night.

lavo club vegas

Flickr/brandon shigeta



Best For A Bachelor Party: Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino

If Caesars Palace were good enough for the bachelor party in the film "The Hangover," it's good enough for any real-life bachelor party. In addition to having one of the largest casinos in Vegas, Caesars is also home to the Old Homestead Steakhouse and many more restaurants that cater to groups. 

Rooms start from $109 per night.

Caesars Las Vegas

Flickr/skinnylawyer



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How To Calculate The Tip Without Using Your Smartphone

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Couple at Cafe with Phone

Let's face it: It's a little embarrassing to pull out your phone at the restaurant for some sixth grade math.

America's tipping system is far from perfect, but the fact is, if you eat out and someone serves you, you need to tip them — unless the restaurant has adopted some sort of alternate policy. According to this chart from Wait But Why, you should never tip under 15%, and most diners tip anywhere from 17-20%.

How much is that, exactly? The calculator on your smartphone isn't the only quick way to calculate a tip. These shortcuts will give you the same result, and maybe a little boost in confidence.

We're not saying you need these strategies, but you can go ahead and bookmark this page "for a friend."

1. Move the decimal, then double the number.

You'll tip: 18%-20%

If you're looking for the easiest way to give 20%, this is it. Let's say your pretax bill is $53.75 (we'll use $53.75 in each of our examples for the sake of consistency).

  1. Move the decimal point in your pretax bill one place to the left to get $5.375 from $53.75.
  2. Round up to the next easy number: $5.40.
  3. Double that number to get $10.80, which is 20% of your original bill.

In order to get as close to 20% as possible, but not go over, use standard rounding rules (if the number after the decimal on your total bill is 5 or higher, round up, if the number is lower than 5, round down).

If you prefer not to tip an entire 20%, you can modify step number two above to disregard the cents, and just double $5 to get a $10 tip — about 18%.

2. Double the number before moving the decimal.

You'll tip: 20%

The general idea is the same as the first method, but you double the number first, then move the decimal.

  1. Round $53.75 up to $54.
  2. Double that to get $108.
  3. Move the decimal one place to the left and arrive again at $10.80, 20% of your original bill.

Follow the same rounding rules as explained in the first method.

3. Double the tax.

You'll tip: 15%-19%

  1. Round up the tax to the nearest dollar. If your bill is $53.75 and the tax on the whole meal is $4.77, round up to $5.
  2. Double the tax to get $10, which is about a 19% tip.

If you're splitting the meal with someone and they're also contributing to the tip, double the tax on only your portion of the bill. If you're the only one tipping, double the tax on the whole bill.

Note that because the tax imposed on restaurant meals varies across the country (the example here is the roughly 8% tax used in New York City), you'll end up with varying results depending on where you are. If you're worried that doubling the tax might mean you under-tip, better to go with another method.

SEE ALSO: How Much To Tip in 29 Different Situations

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Chinese President Xi Jinping: ‘No More Weird Architecture’

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CCTV Building China

Chinese president Xi Jinping is fed up with his country’s fascination with what he calls “weird architecture,” the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Speaking at a literary symposium in Beijing last week, Xi’s two-hour speech took shot at Chinese architects and artists who have designed avant-garde style buildings.

Instead, he said that art should “be like sunshine from the blue sky and the breeze in spring that will inspire minds, warm hearts, cultivate taste, and clean up undesirable work styles.” 

In other words, the speech was a call for more traditional Chinese art that is patriotic, socialist, and nationalistic at its core. 

China Guangzhou Circle buildingXi believes that the art and architecture in China should appeal to the average Chinese citizen, who should also be the main subject of all artwork. His sentiment hearkens back to late Chinese leader Mao Zedong’s idea that the working class in China should not only be the major audience for all art, but that it should be a reflection of their everyday lives, according to Xinhua.

Xi’s speech comes at a time when China is being noticed and appreciated for its architecture. In 2012, Wang Shu, an Hangzhou architect, became the first man who was born and working in China to win the Pritzker Prize, the architect’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, according to the Wall Street Journal.

china teapot buildingOf course, not all of China’s bizarre buildings are a hit. Rem Koolhaas’ CCTV headquarter building was nicknamed “big pants” for its bizarre shape, a building in the Jiangsu province was mocked for looking like a clay teapot in the Jiangsu province, and there was also a bizarre 33-story building in Guanzhou that looked like a giant coin.

Xi also touched on the fact that China is known for copying buildings from the rest of the world, saying that problems like plagiarism and unoriginality were not helping the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring ResortIn the past, Chinese architects have copied famous architect Zaha Hadid as well as created replicas of famous world monuments. They even built a miniature version of Italy

The speech addressed the rampant corruption in Chinese architecture that Xi is trying to curb as well. The Chinese president said that artists should not be “slaves” to the market and the work itself should not have “the stench of money.”

florentia village china

SEE ALSO: 18 Photos Of Old Shanghai Being Demolished To Make Way For Modernization

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How Self Control Leads To Success In Life, According To This Legendary Stanford Psychologist

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grand canyon meditation contemplationIn the late 1960s, Walter Mischel made psychological history with the aid of a few marshmallows.

He was the lead researcher for an experiment that's become a keystone of psychological science, showing the link between executive function — or self-control, as laypeople say — and success. 

In one variation of the experiments, researchers asked kids around age four to sit down at a table with a pair of marshmallows.

The experimenter would then leave the room, telling the tyke that they could eat one marshmallow now or wait for their return, thus scoring two sugary treats. 

Watching the footage, you can see the extreme steps kids took to avoid the sweet temptation.

A girl turns away, refusing to look. Another just folds her arms and puts her head down, miming sleep. Another starts talking to herself like Charlie Chaplin, issuing self-instructions not to submit to her impulses.

"That's executive function that you see right here," explains the 84-year-old Mischel, who's now a professor at Columbia University after a long tenure at Stanford. 

As Mischel details in his new book, "The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control," decades of his and others' research have shown that executive function is a massive predictor of success, from academic achievement to career growth and even marital stability. 

In honor of the new book, we talked to him about what self-control is, why it's so important to success, and how we can hack our habits to be more in line with our goals. 

Business Insider: Why does this seemingly simple act of delaying gratification have all of these massive consequences?

Walter Mischel: Let's start with an example. If I want to reach the goal I have in mind — I want the two marshmallows — I have to inhibit interfering responses. I can't start looking at the marshmallows and thinking how yummy and chewy the marshmallow is or how sweet it will taste. I can't start touching it too much because I'll want to bring it right up to my mouth.

MischelWhat I need to do is to use my attention in order to monitor my progress towards the goal, and do whatever I need to do to make it possible.

BI: OK, so why are the kids that resist the marshmallows better off than the others? 

WM: Because planning and other future-oriented activities and ways of controlling one's own emotions require executive function. 

These fundamental skills allow you to have control over stimuli rather than being controlled by them.

That's true whether we're talking about marshmallows, smoking tobacco, controlling your rage at your employer so that you don't get fired, controlling your emotions so that you won't mess up your relationships. You have keep in mind what the consequences are if you don't regulate your emotions. 

BI: How exactly does self-control build a pattern of success?

WM: The cognitive skills that enable self-control are fundamental, but you also need other motivations and to have a reason to activate and use those skills.

One of the ways that the connection between self-control and success begins early is in school. The kids who succeed in the marshmallow test have the advantage of accumulated realistic success experiences. They start to develop the expectation of: "I think I can. I really am somebody who can do it."

BI: This is a special request from my editor. She wants to know how she can keep jogging every morning, even when the weather gets cold.

WM: I think one of the most effective things to do is to have a specific If/Then implementation plan.

First of all, she needs to understand that what is happening is that the pleasure value of jogging is going down and the effort value and the discomfort value of jogging is going up.

So this is really an instinctive question and she has to ask herself, "How much is this really worth to me?"

BI: And if it's worth it?

WM: If it is, then she has to heed the delayed consequences. She has to say, "I do want to be in great shape, this is vehemently important to me, so I'm going to have an If/Then plan, which is when it's 7 a.m. and the alarm rings, I put on my warmest jogging clothes, and I go."

Then it becomes as automatic as brushing your teeth, which is not at all a natural thing. Our hardwired system doesn't have us brushing our teeth. 

So the advice to your editor is to figure out if she really wants to change her discounting equation. Does she want to increase, for her, the value of the delayed consequences sufficient to offset the increased effort cost that comes from jogging and crappy weather. It's an actual decision she can make.

If she's serious about it, then she makes an automatic If/Then plan so it's like jumping in the shower, even though you don't feel like it. It's automatic.

SEE ALSO: How To Quit Smoking: Stick Your Head In A Can Of Cigarette Butts, Says Famed Psychologist

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The 5 Jackets Every Gentleman Should Wear This Fall

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As soon as temperatures dip below 50 degrees, it’s officially time for a jacket.

But instead of reaching for your old faithful again this season, perhaps it’s time to buy something a little more trendy and fashion-forward. 

Judging from the Fall/Winter 2014 fashion shows from last Spring, these are the five types of coats every man should rock this season.

Shearling Jackets 

shearling jackets coats(LEFT: Belstaff, $2,495; CENTER: MR PORTER, $595; RIGHT: Bloomingdale's, $556)

A popular style for this season is shearling-lined coats that look like classic bombardier jackets that were worn by pilots during WWII. 

The look is rugged and manly, but also best relegated to your weekend wear or worn on a chilly weekend getaway. Usually made with leather, these will be a nice transitional coat for the season and are also great for date nights when worn with jeans and boots.

Double-Breasted Coats

double breasted jackets coats(LEFT: Bloomingdale's $698; CENTER: MR PORTER, $1,670; RIGHT: Norstrom, $170

Men’s fashion has brought back the double-button jacket in recent years, whether its a trench, peacoat, or a simple jacket.

These might seem a bit more fashion-forward than the average cookie-cutter button down, but they're actually quite flattering. Just make sure to have the coat tailored to accentuate your waist and choose a style with a peak lapel to show off your shoulders.

Coats With Toggles

toggle jackets coats(LEFT: Brooks Brothers, $698; CENTER: Bloomingdale's, $895; RIGHT: Macy's, $230)

Nautical toggle coats will be everywhere this fall if the spring runway shows were any indication. The so-called Paddington or Duffel Coats have big pockets, toggles, and are usually knee or hip length.

These were another war coat worn by the British Royal Navy in WWI and WWII (the toggles allowed them to be fastened and unfastened while wearing thick gloves). Though a bit more casual than a classic overcoat, duffel coats can be worn in casual settings or at the office.

The Classic Top Coat

simple overcoat jackets coats(LEFT: Bloomingdale's, $795; CENTER: MR PORTER, $3,875; RIGHT: J.Crew, $450)

Every man should own a classic, simple top coat. It's the perfect jacket to wear over a nice suit, or with a sweater and a pair of jeans to dress up your casual outfit.

Look for simple lines and a fit that skims your body rather than hugs it. When done correctly, the top coat will be cut to fit cleanly over your favorite suit.

Down-Filled Jackets 

puffy jackets coats(LEFT: MR PORTER, $3,925; CENTER: Bloomingdale's, $1,520; RIGHT: Nordstrom, $845)

Puffy, quilted coats will officially be back in style this winter. Try and choose a jacket that is as streamlined as possible so you don’t look like a marshmallow (or time traveler from the early aughts), and pair it with slim-fitting jeans and sneakers. 

Because it’s a sporty look, avoid wearing this style of jacket with suits or fancier attire.

BONUS: The Down Vest

vests outerwear(LEFT: Neiman Marcus, $745; CENTER: Brooks Brothers, $298; RIGHT: MR PORTER, $830)

The most versatile thing you can wear this fall will be a classic down vest. It will amp up your favorite sweaters and button downs while keeping your look casual yet polished. 

Whether it's made with herringbone, wool, or a jacket material, these vests will carry you all the way into spring.

SEE ALSO: 8 Men’s Fashion Trends You'll See This Fall

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Even Military And Police Want To Take This College Zombie Survival Course

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glenn stutzkyIn the Michigan woods, a group of students finds a bloody, unconscious young woman. They go through her backpack and discover a two-way radio but stay well away from her body. 

Her arm is wounded and looks badly infected. Maybe she fell and cut herself. Or maybe she’s been bitten. After some debate they decide to tie her to a tree. They want to know if she has information, but some fear she could be carrying a deadly virus.

It's not your usual summer semester.

But for students enrolled in Social Work 209 at Michigan State University, their situation can't come as much of a surprise. They're taking a course called Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse — Disasters, Catastrophes, and Human Behavior.

MSU's immersive online zombie course is conducted through an intense, real-time group simulation requiring students to survive while a mysterious catastrophe engulfs Michigan.

Course materials range from traditional readings on human behavior and disaster management to dramatic videos that present groups with life-or-death decisions.

Glenn Stutzky and his “Z Team” behind the course have joined educators around America who are using pop-culture hooks to explore more traditional research areas — from gender politics through Beyonce at Rutgers, to class systems through “The Hunger Games” at American University

“A lot of teachers around the country — whether high school or college — they have important content, but sometimes that’s not really enough. You need to create investment, engagement and motivation,” Stutzky says. 

With his zombie course, Stutzky appears to have succeeded. The undergraduate course sees over 100 enrollments each semester, and there has even been demand from the military, state police, and emergency managers. 

While he was devising his course on disaster management and human behaviors in catastrophes, Stutzky’s college-age grandson had a piece of advice for him.

“Gramps, just don’t be boring,” he said. 

While researching ideas, Stutzky struck upon the idea of basing the course on a zombie attack after visiting the Centers for Disease Control’s website during his research. 

“There, looking back at me was a girl behind some blinds — she was a zombie,” he says. 

Zombie CDCIt was the website of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, an arm of the CDC that was using a theoretical zombie attack as a way of attracting attention to its public safety messages. 

The site always had good content on preparation and response, Stutzky said, but with the zombie angle, interest exploded. 

“That’s where I got the idea,” Stutzky told us.

daryl zombies the walking deadTo teach the course, Stutzky and the Z Team developed a new approach to online education they’re calling MOLIE. It stands for a Multimedia Online Learning Immersive Experience, and it appears to be doing wonders for student engagement. 

Journal entries and videos produced by students show a high level of commitment and immersion that many teachers must dream of.

To begin, students are divided into groups and become stranded in the midst of an unknown disaster.

Slowly, they get more information. 

Some of it is encoded. Some of it is garbled and incomplete. But through making decisions, exploring their environment, and solving puzzles, they gradually learn more about the unfolding catastrophe and often have very different responses to it.

zombies walking deadIn the case of the unconscious woman, for example, most groups restrained her until she regained her health. But fearing her reanimation as a zombie, one group decided to decapitate her.

The Z Team had been sure to include personal items in the girl's backpack to humanize her, so it was genuinely shocked by the group's decision. In another incident, the team was surprised when groups refused to help a man pounding desperately on the door of their hideout asking for help. 

“He was a pretty good actor,” Stutzky says, but it seems many groups weren't moved. “I was surprised. About half the groups didn’t let the person in."

So, what's the point of all of these exercises? Glenn wants students to leave the course with an understanding that humans have always faced and endured catastrophes and will always continue to do so. 

In the event of zombie apocalypses and other catastrophes, Glenn has some sage advice. 

“[T]he best way to survive — even in a zombie apocalypse — is to have strong relationships with people around you, people that you care about and who care about you," he says.  “Together we survive — individually, not so much."


NOW WATCH: There's A Good Reason 'The Walking Dead' Creator Doesn't Use The Word Zombie

 

 

SEE ALSO: Creator Of Acclaimed 'Zombie Survival Course' Says We're 'Moving Into Apocalyptic Times'

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