A recent Times article reported on bizarre stories of people being buried with their cars, with some saying they were inspired by accounts that ancient Egyptians were buried with their possessions. How do you feel about the idea of burying extravagant items with their owners after they die?
Do you have a deeply-beloved personal possession? What is it? How did you acquire it? Is its value monetary, sentimental or both?
Tell us in the comments, then read the related article to learn more.
Want more Picture Prompts? Find them all in this column.
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.
This lesson is a part of our Accessible Activities feature, which aims to welcome a wider variety of learners to our site and to The Times. Learn more and tell us what you think here.
The United States is enduring its most severe increase in traffic deaths since the 1940s. Beginning in the summer of 2020, during the pandemic, crashes and deaths began going up.
In this lesson, you will learn about how the roads of Albuquerque became more dangerous for pedestrians during the pandemic. Then, you will study a graph about pedestrian deaths and try to understand the causes behind the issue.
Warm-Up
Reflect in Writing or Discussion
How often do you walk in your community? Daily? Weekly? Occasionally?
Do you walk to go to school, shop or socialize? How safe do you feel as a pedestrian — that is, someone traveling by foot —in your neighborhood? Why?
Vocabulary
Look at the eight words below. Do you know what any of them mean? Are any new to you?
To learn the meanings and quiz yourself, you can check out this Vocabulary.com list.
Questions for Writing and Discussion
Read the article below or use a link or PDF, then answer the following questions:
1. What were some of the things that Simon Romero, the reporter, noticed drivers doing in his community?
2. What happened last December in Albuquerque that gave him additional concerns about drivers and pedestrian safety?
3. When did pedestrian deaths begin to go up? What factors might have caused this increase?
4. What does Aditya Bhattacharya, Pronoy’s father, think should be done?
5. How do you feel after reading the article? How important is this issue in your community?
Going Further
Spend five minutes looking at the graph below. Then respond to the questions.
What do you notice about the graph?
What do you wonder about the graph?
What is your reaction? How does this graph connect to your own life and community?
What changes might have contributed to the rise in pedestrian deaths and to frustration and anger among drivers?
Extension: To learn what experts think is causing the increase in reckless driving, read this excerpt from the Morning newsletter, “Vehicle Crashes, Surging”:
“We’re seeing erratic behavior in the way people are acting and their patience levels,” Albuquerque’s police chief, Harold Medina, told Simon. “Everybody’s been pushed. This is one of the most stressful times in memory.”
Art Markman, a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, said that the emotions partly reflected “two years of having to stop ourselves from doing things that we’d like to do.” He added: “When you get angry in the car, it generates energy — and how do you dissipate that energy? Well, one way is to put your foot down a little bit more on the accelerator.”
Rising drug abuse during the pandemic seems to play an important role, as well. The U.S. Department of Transportation has reported that “the proportion of drivers testing positive for opioids nearly doubled after mid-March 2020, compared to the previous 6 months, while marijuana prevalence increased by about 50 percent.” (Mid-March 2020 is when major Covid mitigations began.)
How accurate were your guesses? Are you surprised by this information? Why or why not?
Now think back to the questions in the warm-up. Do you feel any more or less concerned about the issue after reading the article and looking at the graph?
What do you think could be done to address this issue in your community?
Want more Lessons of the Day? You can find them all here.
Above is a photo of Karen Chen, the 2017 U.S. national champion. She won a silver medal in the team event at the 2022 Winter Olympics after skating in the short program and the free skate. The red necklace she’s wearing, which has a rabbit made of jade, is a childhood gift from her mother. Ms. Chen says that she always wears it.
Do you have something like this necklace that comforts you or reminds you of someone special or that you believe brings you luck? If so, what it is? Where did you get it, and why and how does it help you?
In “‘I Just Feel the Best When I Wear Them’,” Juliet Macur writes about Ms. Chen’s jade necklace but also about the costumes she wears to compete, which are made by Hsiu-Hui Tseng, her mother. The article begins:
BEIJING — As soon as Karen Chen skates onto the ice, the dreaded feeling returns.
Her coach could be pounding on the wall of the rink to get her excited. Her family and friends could be screaming encouragement from the stands. The fans could be cheering her name.
Yet in that spotlight, standing there waiting for the music to begin, as she will in Thursday’s free skate of the Beijing Games, she still feels so very vulnerable.
“It’s only me, my body and my mind, and it just hits me that, ugh, I’m doing this by myself,” said Chen, a two-time Olympian and the 2017 U.S. national champion. “That can be so scary.”
She knows the remedy is close, so close that she carries it with her. A quick touch of her jade rabbit necklace and a glance at her costume remind her that it will be OK because her mother is out there with her, too.
Chen’s mother, Hsiu-Hui Tseng, gave her that necklace when Chen was 9 after her first serious injury in the sport, a chipped bone in her foot, and the rabbit is Chen’s Chinese zodiac sign. It’s meant to protect her, and Chen always wears it.
And her costume? That’s a different story, one stitched together over years of a mother’s love and support for a daughter who had an Olympic dream and now has realized it twice.
For most of Chen’s career, her mother has made her sparkling costumes that are carefully designed with Swarovski crystals that are the best for catching the light. There could be thousands of them on each costume, and each is individually glued on. The bigger ones are also sewn on, so they don’t fall off.
At this level of the sport, where dresses can cost several thousand dollars each — or more because, in some cases, Vera Wang has designed them — a homemade dress that can pass muster at the top level of the sport is a rarity.
There’s a lavender one with a deep V lined with shining butterflies and flowers, for a performance to “Butterfly Lovers Concerto.” Another, purple with a splash of white and fuchsia flowers that flows daintily across the bodice. A black one with a moody deep V design of dazzling blues on the front and a matching deep scoop on the back.
And one that’s among Chen’s favorites: a lavender dress with an ombré design that took Tseng multiple tries to perfect because she bought the fabric from a Jo-Ann store and dyed it herself. You can learn anything on YouTube, she said.
Chen, 22, wore meticulously mom-made dresses in both the short program and the free skate of the team event last week, when the United States won the silver medal. She can’t imagine wearing a dress made by anyone else.
“It’s hard to explain, but I just feel the best when I wear them,” Chen said, several days after arriving in Beijing.
Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.
Waste (or wastes) are materials that are unwanted or unusable.
“Waste is any substance which is discarded after primary use, or is worthless, defective and of no use.” – Wikipedia.
Every day, we generate waste.
Waste is anything that we no longer need or value and wish to discard; from the pizza carton, nylon bags, paper bags, leftover foods, to the much heavier industrial waste, we produce tons of waste on a daily basis.
In the United States, waste management has categorized wastes into four types:
Trash – Wet waste.
Garbage- Dry waste.
Refuse – A mixture of both wet and dry waste.
Rubbish- a mixture of refuse and demolition or dirt from a construction site.
According to the World Bank, Africa alone generates several million tons of waste each year, with the figure growing by the day.
Several methods have been developed in the past to deal with the waste produced by society, such as dumping sewage waste into rivers and seas, burning some other dry wastes, and so on.
These waste disposal methods have resulted in a number of disease outbreaks and environmental pollution. Waste has always been and will always be generated by humans; waste generation will never cease as long as we live; instead, waste production is increasing, particularly on the African continent, due to factors such as population growth, rapid urban and rural settlements, and rising levels of disposable income. It seems like with every development comes the production of waste. Waste is one of the products of human existence.
With the advancement of technology, several attempts have been made to manage waste in order to reduce the negative effects it has on our health and the environment, such as the ISO 14001 directive on proper waste management.
Waste management has recently become a very profitable business for some entrepreneurs, particularly in the waste recycling business. Waste recycling is the process of converting waste into items that can be reused, such as converting a pile of nylon bags into a plastic bowl for use in the kitchen. Several of these businesses can be found all over the world, particularly in Africa, where waste generation is much higher on a daily basis.
The waste industry is now a very profitable business, particularly in Africa, providing hundreds of jobs and a higher standard of living for many others.
From waste collection to waste recycling, there are numerous opportunities; indeed, there is wealth in waste, thanks to research and technology.
Some opportunities found in the waste industry are categorized under the following:
Waste Collection – Every household, business, and the industry generates waste on a daily basis and must dispose of it. Previously, these wastes were dumped in a specific location for waste disposal; however, after a while, the wastes overflowed and clogged the drainage and roads. Due to environmental laws, most households and businesses are now willing to pay in order to properly dispose of their waste. This has created a business opportunity for many industries, which are now purchasing waste trucks to be used in the waste disposal business. This is a win-win situation for both waste generators and waste collectors, as well as a healthier, less polluted environment.
Waste Processing- This can be either organic or inorganic.
Organic waste processing – Organic waste is waste that decomposes or biodegrades and can be obtained from the kitchen, restaurants, hotels, leftover food, vegetables, grasses, and animal waste. Composting is the process of processing organic waste, and the end product is the preferred form of fertilizer for the soil because it contains a high level of humus, which allows the soil to breathe. Composting is a natural method of converting organic matter into valuable organic fertilizer that can be used to enrich the soil before planting.
Inorganic waste processing – Inorganic wastes are non-degradable wastes such as rubbers, plastics, glasses, wood, textiles, and so on. When inorganic waste is collected, it is usually separated into different parts based on its type, and then cleaned and sanitized before processing begins. Metals, papers, plastics, textiles, and rubbers are separated. Paper bags, buckets, tires, and a variety of home decoration items are among the end products of inorganic waste.
The waste industry has benefited not only waste collectors and processors, but also the industries that provide the machines used in the processing and society as a whole.
Thanks to the waste industries, we now live in a cleaner and healthier environment.
So, the next time you trash your waste, remember that your waste is another person’s wealth!
“Think outside the box” is a popular phrase in the business sector, but it may also be applied to other aspects of life. It implies to think outside the box, to think outside the established norms and regulations, to think outside the set boundaries and standards.
“Thinking outside the box (also thinking out of the box or thinking beyond the box and, especially in Australia, thinking outside the square), is a metaphor that means to think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective. This phrase often refers to novel or creative thinking.The term is thought to derive from management consultants in the 1970s and 1980s challenging their clients to solve the nine dots puzzle, whose solution requires some lateral thinking”- Wikipedia
The origin of nine-dot puzzles can be traced back to 1914 or even before. The problem is an intellectual exercise that requires you to use a pencil to connect nine dots in a square design. The dots are to be connected with four straight lines, without lifting the pencil from the paper, until the last dot is joined.
The solution to the nine-dot puzzle is to draw lines that extend beyond the box; however, once found, it becomes clear that the solution is actually outside the box!
It is clear from the previous explanation that the phrase has more to do with problems and solutions. In this example, the box represents what we are used to, what we have been told is the proper way to deal with a problem, laws, and regulations, guidelines, risks, repercussions, rights and wrongs, feasible and impossible, causes and effects, and so on. The majority of these boxes represent teachings that have been passed down to us since we were children, therefore this is what we have always understood to be correct.
There are several counter-arguments to this statement. One writer claims that thinking outside the box is a flawed method of innovation because the phrase conjures up images of an imagined box that never existed, such as the nine-dot problem. The nine dots were all that existed until the four lines were drawn. The game’s participants limited the possible solutions to the spaces between the dots, forming an imaginary square. Even though they were not told not to, they did not perceive the white spaces outside the imaginary square. This act puts the participants in an unwanted, self-limiting scenario, preventing them from perceiving a feasible solution. He advised us to set the boxes on fire and act as if there was no box at all; after all, when faced with a threat, the human survival instinct is either fight or run; there is no in-between!
While some may agree with the previous argument, it is important to remember that the boxes are present in our daily lives, from our homes to our workplaces. We did not place these boxes there most of the time! We have been “boxed in”!
So, how do you think outside the “box” you have been “boxed in”?
If the problem is related to your workplace, go to the library and search online for similar problems in other places, and industries unrelated to yours to see how such issues were handled. The solution might however require combining two options from your findings; be creative and explorative!
Learn new things and expand your knowledge by taking courses that are unrelated to your current work. You never know when this will come in handy. Inquire, ask questions, and train your mind!
Every book contains one or more lessons that can be applied to various life challenges. Do not wait until you encounter a challenge: read books or novels and pay attention to the problems and solutions in the story.
It is said that the left side of our brain is more creative and rational than the right side of our brain, and writing is one way to develop the left side of our brain. Don’t just read; write a poem about the problem at hand, and then write down the solution you learned from your reading. The faintest ink is more potent than the sharpest memory!
Putting a face to a problem allows you to see every aspect of the problem; in this case, the face is related to drawing. Drawing develops the right side of the brain, whereas poetry develops the left side.
“He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.” – Chinese Proverb. Choose the latter, and ask for feedback questions, and advice from colleagues, friends, and, most importantly, a child. A child will always give an honest, unbiased response to a question. Keep an open mind!
Do you remember how you felt when you misplaced your car keys? You start thinking about where you have been, where you sat the last time, yes, that feeling! Everyone has it: the ability to recall; to think backwards in order to find a solution or to see where you went wrong. That is also beneficial if you want to think outside the box.
Sometimes the problem confuses you and you go blank as if you have reached a dead end. When this happens, it is time to take a hot bath or go for a walk; you will feel refreshed and your focus will return.
Remember, “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.” –George S. Patton.
Meet Ana Said. She’s an entrepreneur who built and operated her own business for almost a decade. She achieved her success through hard work and a willingness to learn on the job. This commitment to learning new skills was particularly important, given that she’d launched her business before earning a bachelor’s degree.
Despite her achievements, she eventually reached a point where she felt she couldn’t advance her career any further. She began to wonder whether earning a degree might now make sense for her goals. She credits her mom, an e-learning specialist, for her exposure to the possibilities of online learning. Ana’s experience of helping her mom in video and design for online classes sparked her curiosity in online learning and would mark the start of her freelance career. Below, Ana shares her story about her decision to enroll in a bachelor’s program, how her new community is helping her overcome challenges associated with having an education gap on her resume, and what surprised her most about learning online.
I spent ten years working as a self-employed assistant, acquiring many skills and life experiences through organizing and managing tasks related to other people’s lives and businesses. The incredible people I encountered along the way inspired me to assess where I am, and where I could go. I realized I had reached a point where I knew I wanted a more specialized career—one where I wasn’t just taking whatever work I could find.
But finishing my bachelor’s didn’t feel realistic. I’m in my 30’s now. The thought of overhauling my schedule, paying tuition while working less, commuting—not to mention age differences with my peers and just a general feeling of not knowing where to start—was too much, and I just kept putting it off.
My mom, who is a huge role model for me, works in the online education space. She told me about the Bachelor of Applied Arts Sciences (BAAS) program offered on Coursera. For the first time, finishing my undergraduate degree actually seemed realistic. It was online, with a flexible schedule, and I could chip away at the classes I needed. It felt like this program was made for people in my situation.
I thought online learning was just going to be me at my computer. But the counselors are really helpful and quick to respond. And the class has discussion platforms and a chat channel. We can discuss classes, ask and answer questions, and share our relatable experiences. This has sharpened my skills in working with others remotely, which is a big advantage in today’s context.
I have made connections with people who also inspire me to keep going. They know what it’s like to have that gap in their education, but they are willing to put in the work for themselves, for their families, and for their careers. It is challenging, but I’m taking on more than I ever thought I could.
I’ve enrolled in both administration and consumer behavior concentrations. I’m understanding how organizations are set up for different aspects of communication and motivation—what drives motivation, how groups work together, and how to watch out for certain pitfalls. It has helped me to really understand why I am doing the things I am doing professionally and how to grow as a leader.
After graduating, I can take my own business further to better serve my clients and maybe hire others one day. I understand how to build that from the ground up now.
UNT pairs each Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.) student with an advisor to create a customized degree plan focusing on the “missing pieces” they need for completion. This advising system gives students the flexibility they need determine their fastest route to a degree while ensuring relevance to their career goals.
We all do our best to try and manage our work lives every day, but it’s a fast-paced, at times chaotic world out there, and we’re not always prepared for what it can throw at us. Getting the best out of each day can be nearly impossible if you’re not in the right frame of mind. Ideally, you want to be positive, well-rested, feeling good and ready to Carpe that Diem. We’ve all heard the saying that small things can make a big difference. We tend to get caught up in the big picture and overlook the little things that make it up. So instead of focusing on how you can change the world, we’re going to focus on how you can implement small changes at home that will alter how you view and interact with the world around you.
Here are a few easy ones to get you started on your journey to making the most out of every day.
Make Your Bed
Once you’ve surfaced from your slumber, make your bed! It sounds silly, I know, but rather than waiting until after your coffee, brushing your teeth, and so on, just do it. Let me tell you why:
Studies have shown that making your bed first is accomplishing and completing an objective. This leads to a sense of pride, and the urge to accomplish more tasks snowballs throughout the day, which feels pretty good each time you do it.
See, you’re already making disciplined, productive decisions. Here is how you can discover the importance of daily self-discipline.
Enjoy The Little Things
This brings me to my next point. Nothing is trivial; the little things can mean so much, just like making the bed. Without getting the little things right first, getting the big things right is impossible.
Make a list of the things that you think you don’t have time for, the things that you keep putting off around the house. Do them and you’ll instantly feel better.
A great way to do this is by getting your space organised. By space, I don’t just mean the garage that’s overflowing with stuff you never seem to get around to throwing away. Organise your finances. Start a journal to organise your thoughts. Plan your meals. There are so many ways to declutter both your mind and your surroundings.
This is leading up to you appreciating what you have around you and what you have accomplished. Which in turn will start to affect those around you. The good vibes just keep on coming, don’t they?
Be Kind To Yourself
Self-care is often overlooked. A positive attitude can only be achieved by having a positive view of yourself. Do yourself a favour and take some “me time” every day to be with yourself and recharge your batteries. Here’s a self-care blog to give you some more tips on how to show yourself some kindness.
A Healthy Mind Needs A Healthy Body
Sleep, diet, and exercise. You hear about them all the time. There’s a reason for that; they work! Your stress levels go down, you’re more alert, you make better decisions, you’re a better you.
I’m not saying you must work out for 3 hours a day, only eat boiled chicken, broccoli, and kale, and be in bed by 8 pm every night. Remember, we were talking about the little things. Moderation is the key.
Go for a walk or run around the neighbourhood, do a few situps and pushups. A little cardio and a few bodyweight workouts will go a long way. Have a look at how you can develop and stick to your own workout plan.
Instead of processed sugars and carbs, go for natural sweeteners and whole grains, and up your veggie intake. Take one of these courses on diet and nutrition to help you ditch junk food.
Nothing frightening here, just a few small changes at home that will lead to big results as you become healthier, more productive, and ultimately happier at work.
Lastly, and possibly most importantly, instead of constantly looking to the future, be present in the now. You may just surprise yourself.
“Write once, run anywhere.” That was Java’s selling point when it first hit the market in 1995, and it’s still what makes Java one of the most-used programming languages among developers worldwide.
Since Java can be used on every operating system and every type of hardware, Java Developers can work on a wide range of projects, from dynamic websites and mobile apps to big data. This also means Java Developers generally enjoy comfortable salaries from entry-level through senior positions. But these salaries vary by location, experience, and skillset. Here’s a closer look at the factors that influence a Java Developer’s salary.
What factors affect a Java Developer’s salary?
According to Indeed, a Java Developer in the United States makes an average annual salary of $105,989. In addition to their base salary, Java Developers report an average of $5,000 per year in cash bonuses, and they also enjoy other benefits like relocation assistance, life insurance, and 401 (k) matching, as well as comprehensive vision, dental, and health insurance.
But as with any job in any field, salaries can range significantly from position to position. Here are the primary factors that influence how much you can make as a Java Developer.
Location
One of the perks of being a Java Developer — or any type of developer, for that matter — is you’ll be able to find work anywhere. And not just anywhere in the United States — anywhere in the world. That means your options are essentially limitless when it comes to where you can live. But your geographic location can still impact your salary, even with the rise of remote work, based on factors like cost-of-living and competition.
For example, if you live in Colorado, you can make up to 35% more than the national average pay for Java development. Other states that pay well include Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Hampshire. And on the other end of the spectrum, the states that pay Java developers the least are Vermont and Mississippi.
High-paying cities in the U.S. include New York City, where you can earn an average salary of $141,306, and Boston, where Java Developers make an average of $136,450 per year.
Experience
One of the biggest factors that impact salary is the number of years you’ve been working in your field. In general, the longer you’ve been working, the higher your salary.
Entry-level Java Developers, those with 1-3 years of experience, earn an average of $72,530 per year, according to Indeed. Developers with this range of experience may have recently graduated from college, wrapped up an internship, or have a year or two of experience at another position. The average Senior Java Developer, which is usually a minimum of 5 years of experience, makes $122,224, according to Indeed.
Education & skills
Although it’s absolutely possible to get a programming job without a formal degree, having one still holds weight in the job market. In fact, 79% of Java Developers have Bachelor’s degrees and 13% hold Master’s degrees, according to Indeed. (Keep in mind that those degrees are not necessarily in computer science.)
Online courses and professional development can also bump up your salary. So if you’re interested in learning more about a specific area or tool, not only does this create more opportunities for the types of projects you can work on, but it can also boost your earning potential.
What skills are in high demand?
Certain skills are in higher demand compared to others in the Java Dev job market. And having those in-demand skills has the potential to put you in a higher salary bracket. So what’s in-demand right now?
According to Indeed, Java Developers who know the Spring framework and Spring boot are sought after. If you know SQL, the query language for storing, manipulating, and retrieving data in databases, that’s also a big plus. Knowledge of Service-Oriented Architecture and REST, REpresentational State Transfer, are two others on the list.
How to start your Java Developer career
If you’re interested in specializing in Java and enjoying the option to work on a huge range of fun projects — from mobile app development and game development — our courses are a great way to start building the skills you’ll need.
Still looking for more? Check out So you want to learn Java, a post in the Codecademy Forums. It’s a great resource from our community moderator group, ModeratorEmeritus, about what steps to take after completing our course.
(1) Kruger, J., Wirtz, D., & Miller, D. T. (2005). Counterfactual thinking and the first instinct fallacy. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88(5), 725.
(2) Merry, J. W., Elenchin, M. K., & Surma, R. N. (2021). Should students change their answers on multiple choice questions?. Advances in Physiology Education, 45(1), 182-190.
(3) Couchman, J. J., Miller, N. E., Zmuda, S. J., Feather, K., & Schwartzmeyer, T. (2016). The instinct fallacy: The metacognition of answering and revising during college exams. Metacognition and Learning, 11(2), 171-185.
Jessica Gonzalez, a former Activision worker and one of the organizers of ABetterABK, a group of activists that formed in the wake of the lawsuit to improve conditions at Activision and its Blizzard and King units, said she hoped the Raven union, though small, would galvanize more labor efforts at the company — which has about 10,000 employees — and at other gaming publishers.
“I think it’ll have a ripple effect across the industry,” Ms. Gonzalez said. “I’m hoping the rest of ABK will join our mission and help push this movement forward.”
Daily Word Challenge
Can you correctly use the word galvanize in a sentence?
Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.
Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.
If you want a better idea of how galvanize can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.
Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.
