Researcher: Zombie fads peak when society unhappy

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) ? Zombies seem to be everywhere these days.

In the popular TV series "The Walking Dead," humans struggle to escape from a pack of zombies hungry for flesh. Prank alerts have warned of a zombie apocalypse on radio stations in a handful of states. And across the country, zombie wannabes in tattered clothes occasionally fill local parks, gurgling moans of the undead.

Are these just unhealthy obsessions with death and decay? To Clemson University professor Sarah Lauro, the phenomenon isn't harmful or a random fad, but part of a historical trend that mirrors a level of cultural dissatisfaction and economic upheaval.

Lauro, who teaches English at Clemson, studied zombies while working on her doctoral degree at the University of California at Davis. Lauro said she keeps track of zombie movies, television shows and video games, but her research focuses primarily on the concept of the "zombie walk," a mass gathering of people who, dressed in the clothes and makeup of the undead, stagger about and dance.

It's a fascination that, for Lauro, a self-described "chicken," seems unnatural. Disinterested in violent movies or games, Lauro said she finds herself now taking part in both in an attempt to further understand what makes zombie-lovers tick.

"I hate violence," she said. "I can't stand gore. So it's a labor, but I do it."

The zombie mob originated in 2003 in Toronto, Lauro said, and popularity escalated dramatically in the United States in 2005, alongside a rise in dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq.

"It was a way that the population was getting to exercise the fact that they felt like they hadn't been listened to by the Bush administration," Lauro said. "Nobody really wanted that war, and yet we were going to war anyway."

The mid- to late 2000s also saw an uptick in overall zombie popularity, perhaps prompted in part by the release of post-apocalyptic movies including "Dawn of the Dead" and "28 Days Later."

As of last year, Lauro said, zombie walks had been documented in 20 countries. The largest gathering drew more than 4,000 participants at the New Jersey Zombie Walk in Asbury Park, N.J., in October 2010, according to Guinness World Records.

"We are more interested in the zombie at times when as a culture we feel disempowered," Lauro said. "And the facts are there that, when we are experiencing economic crises, the vast population is feeling disempowered. ... Either playing dead themselves ... or watching a show like 'Walking Dead' provides a great variety of outlets for people."

But, Lauro pointed out, the display of dissatisfaction isn't always a conscious expression of that feeling of frustration.

"If you were to ask the participants, I don't think that all of them are very cognizant of what they're saying when they put on the zombie makeup and participate," she said. "To me, it's such an obvious allegory. We feel like, in one way, we're dead."

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP .

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/researcher-zombie-fads-peak-society-unhappy-092912860.html

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China unveils restructuring to boost efficiency, fight corruption

BEIJING (Reuters) - China unveiled a government restructuring plan on Sunday, cutting cabinet-level entities by two and dissolving its powerful Railways Ministry, as the country's new leaders look to boost efficiency and combat corruption.

The reforms mark the biggest reduction in ministries since 1998 when then-premier Zhu Rongji oversaw the overhaul of the State Council, and coincides with growing public concern over transparency and overlapping bureaucracies.

The government will join the Family Planning Commission -- the agency that controls the controversial one-child policy -- with the Health Ministry, and strengthen the powers of the food and drug regulators, it said in a report released during the on-going annual meeting of parliament.

"Currently, numerous operational, organizational and division of labor problems exist in State Council ministries," State Council Secretary-General Ma Kai said in a speech on the plan to the National People's Congress.

Ma added that "breach of duty, using positions for personal gain and corruption" under the structure had not been effectively constrained.

China's president-in-waiting Xi Jinping and premier-designate Li Keqiang assume their new roles after the annual congress concludes next week.

The Railways Ministry and Family Planning Commission have been particularly unpopular, and their restructuring was widely expected.

The Railways Ministry has faced numerous problems over the past few years, including heavy debts from funding new high-speed lines, waste and fraud.

Railways planning will be coordinated under the broader transport ministry. The government has pledged to open the rail industry to private investment on an unprecedented scale.

Family planning officials, meanwhile, have been known to compel women to have abortions to meet birth-rate targets. High profile cases have sparked national fury, such as when a woman in inland Shaanxi province was forced to abort her 7-month pregnancy last year.

Some analysts have said the merger of the health and family planning agencies would be a blow to the political base needed to maintain the one-child policy, which many demographers say should be relaxed.

The report said family planning must continue "on the basis of stable and low birth rates", but added that policies would be "improved". China's one-child policy is still generally enforced, although there are a number of family situations exempt from the rule.

A recently retired official from the Family Planning Commission who maintains close ties with the agency, said the merger does not mean the commission's power will be reduced.

"For such a long time, hundreds of millions of people had to have contraception and birth control, this kind of work is necessary. But it's possible that there will be fewer things done by force," the retired official said.

SUPER MINISTRIES

The restructuring plan, which will cut cabinet-level agencies to 25, will also boost the role of the food and drug regulators, placing it within the cabinet in response to an almost never-ending series of scandals over product safety.

Prosecutions for producing or selling fake drugs or toxic food jumped to more than 8,000 in 2012, more than five times the number in 2011, according to a report by the office of China's top prosecutor also issued on Sunday.

China's maritime enforcement agencies will be consolidated, as well, giving the National Oceanic Administration control over coast guard forces, customs police and fisheries enforcement as China faces growing tensions with Japan and South East Asian neighbors over disputed seas.

Tokyo and Beijing have sent patrol boats in a game of cat-and-mouse in the waters near disputed islands in the East China Sea, and coordinated control over China's vessels could reduce the risk of an escalation sparked by unintended collisions.

One parliament delegate said on the sidelines of the congress session that the move was not linked to the military.

"Our coastline is very long and our oceans cover a vast area. There is no military thinking behind it," said Zhang Guibai, who is also a military officer.

China will also merge its two media watchdogs -- the General Administration of Press and Publication and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television -- and restructure the National Energy Administration, Ma said.

(Reporting by Michael Martina, Shen Yan, Sui-Lee Wee and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Jonathan Standing and Michael Perry)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/china-unveils-government-restructuring-plans-003121707--business.html

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Comet Pan-STARRS is closest to Sun today: See it at sunset

Luis Argerich/Nightscape Photography

Astrophotographer Luis Argerich of Buenos Aires, Argentina, took this photo of Comet Pan-STARRS taken on March 2, 2013. He writes: "Comet Pan-STARRS was visible from about 8:15 pm to 9 pm above the western horizon."

By Tariq Malik, Space.com

A?comet sailing through the inner solar system make its closest approach to the sun and will be at its brightest at sunset tonight, but the glare of twilight may make it tricky to see, NASA says.

The?Comet Pan-STARRS?will be 28 million miles (45 million kilometers) from the surface of the sun when it swings around the star today, and should be bright enough to see without the aid of telescopes or binoculars, weather permitting. But the comet is also appearing low on the western horizon at sunset so some planning is needed to spot the celestial wanderer with the naked eye tonight.

"Look too early and the sky will be too bright," said Rachel Stevenson, a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. "Look too late, the comet will be too low and obstructed by the horizon. This comet has a relatively small window."

Science@NASA

The progression of comet Pan-STARRS across the night sky in March 2013 is shown in this NASA graphic.

A good time to look is about 40 minutes after sunset. The comet may appear as a sort of exclamation point in the evening sky, with the point being the comet itself and its diffuse tail stretching nearly straight up from the horizon, JPL officials added. [How to see the comet]

Comet Pan-STARRS, officially known as comet C/2011 L4 Pan-STARRS, was discovered in June 2011 by astronomers using the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (or PAN-STARRS), a telescope atop the Haleakala volcano in Hawaii. The comet takes more than 100 million years to orbit the sun and appears to come from the Oort cloud, a vast halo of comets and icy objects at the outer edge of the solar system.

While the comet is making its closest pass by the sun tonight, the best views of the object are still to come. NASA scientists said the comet's proximity to the sun may make it too difficult to spot tonight, but that will change over the next few days.

"As it continues its nightly trek across the sky, the comet may get lost in the sun's glare but should return and be visible to the naked eye by March 12," JPL officials explained. "As time marches on in the month of March, the comet will begin to fade away slowly, becoming difficult to view (even with binoculars or?small telescopes) by month's end."

Astronomy Education Services / Gingin Observatory

Close-up of comet C/2011 L4 PANSTARRS as seen from Mount Dale, Western Australia.

And there is another reason to look for comet Pan-STARRS later this week. On Tuesday (March 12), the moon rises into the cosmic display.

"The comet will be joined in the western sky after dark by the slender crescent moon on March 12, 13, and 14," the editors of StarDate Magazine, a stargazing publication of the McDonald Observatory at the University of Texas. "Good naked-eye views of the comet should continue for several nights, with the comet remaining visible through binoculars into April."

Comet Pan-STARRS is one of three?comets?capturing the attention of stargazers this year. The Comet Lemmon C/2012 F6 is currently visible to observers in the Southern Hemisphere and at times was in the night sky at the same time, allowing stargazers to capture?rare photos of two comets in the sky together.

Meanwhile, the Comet ISON is making its way into the inner solar system and could put on a spectacular cosmic display later this year. Officially designated C/2012 S1 (ISON), Comet ISON was discovered in September 2012 by Russian amateur astronomers Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok using a remotely operated International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) telescope.

Some astronomers have billed?Comet ISON?as a potential "comet of the century" since it could be brighter than the full moon in daylight when it makes its closest approach to the sun on Nov. 28. At that time, Comet ISON will be much closer to the sun than Comet Pan-STARRS is now. ISON will approach within 800,000 miles (1.2 million km) of the star, making it a true sungrazing comet.

StarDate Magazine

The location of Comet Pan-STARRS low in the western horizon in March 2013 is shown in this sky map released by StarDate Magazine, a publication of the McDonald Observatory at the University of Texas.

Editor's note:?If you snap an amazing photo of Comet Pan-STARRS, or any other celestial object, and you'd like to share it for a possible story or image gallery, please send images and comments, including location information, to managing editor Tariq Malik at?spacephotos@space.com.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him?@tariqjmalik?and?Google+. Follow us?@Spacedotcom,?Facebook?and?Google+. Original article on?SPACE.com.

Copyright 2013?SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/10/17258886-comet-pan-starrs-is-closest-to-sun-today-see-it-at-sunset?lite

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Levin's retirement gives GOP rare shot at Senate

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich. speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, after the weekly Democratic policy luncheon. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich. speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, after the weekly Democratic policy luncheon. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

LANSING, Mich. (AP) ? U.S. Sen. Carl Levin's decision not to seek another term gives Michigan Republicans the chance to prove they can win a Senate election, while Democrats are left scrambling to keep a seat that has not been closely contested since the Detroit Tigers last won the World Series in 1984.

Levin's announcement is expected to spark a frenzy of interest from candidates and parties. The outcome of the 2014 race will play a role in Michigan's clout in Congress, the battle for control of the 100-member Senate and possibly even Gov. Rick Snyder's re-election prospects.

"This offers the opportunity for a huge field," said Lansing-based political analyst Bill Ballenger.

Much of the early focus is on the state's congressional delegation, where at least five members are considered possible candidates to move to the upper chamber. GOP Reps. Justin Amash, Dave Camp and Mike Rogers are being mentioned as well as Democrats Gary Peters and Dan Kildee.

Peters, who represents the bellwether county north of Detroit, told The Associated Press Friday that is he is "very interested" in running for Senate.

"It is absolutely critical that Democrats hold this seat," he said, calling himself a battle-tested campaigner who has won three difficult races. "People don't win statewide without winning Oakland County, and that's my political base."

The three-term congressman said he would make a decision within weeks after talking with his family. He said the chance to move up within House leadership does "somewhat change with an open Senate seat."

Some other Democrats interested in running are national committeewoman Debbie Dingell, the wife of long-time Rep. John Dingell, and University of Michigan regent Mark Bernstein, part of a well-known family of plaintiffs' lawyers. Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm also is being mentioned. She could not be reached Friday.

One Republican to express interest was former two-term Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, who previously considered running against Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

"The idea that you have to be (in Washington) 100 years to be effective has gone out the window," she said, saying she was excited by the way Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul's 13-hour filibuster energized other newer senators. "Those are the ones making a difference."

Land, a Republican national committeewoman, said her decision on whether to run will depend in part on who else jumps into the race. With more voters identifying themselves as independents, she said, they want lawmakers who "can get something done."

Another interested candidate is Scott Romney, older brother of presidential candidate Mitt Romney, according to a state GOP official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about specific candidates.

GOP Rep. Candice Miller, a former secretary of state, said Friday she will not run for Senate. Other Republicans to rule out a bid were 2012 Senate candidate and charter schools founder Clark Durant, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, former Attorney General Mike Cox, and Amway heir and 2006 gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos.

A message was left for another potential candidate, Delta Air Lines executive and University of Michigan regent Andrea Fischer Newman.

Levin's departure puts Democrats at a disadvantage as they already are looking for someone to challenge the governor and take back control of a state government dominated by the GOP. But Democrats also have fared well in federal elections in a state that has gone for Democrats in six straight presidential races.

Just one Republican has won a Michigan Senate seat in 40 years, Spencer Abraham in 1994, a non-presidential year like 2014 will be. The last close race was in 2000, when Debbie Stabenow defeated Abraham.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for Republicans. This is like a once-in-decades opportunity," said Stu Sandler, a GOP consultant in Ann Arbor. "There's a pretty strong bench out there."

Amash, a second-term conservative adored by tea party groups, was removed from a committee assignment in December after casting votes defying party leadership. If he won the primary, some Republicans worry he would not appeal to independent voters in the general election.

A message was left for Amash. He tweeted Friday that the Michigan GOP "can't put up an unelectable establishment candidate for Senate who doesn't appeal to independent & moderate voters on federal issues."

Democratic consultant Joe DiSano in Lansing said Peters right now is the Democratic front-runner.

"He can raise money. He's the most tenacious and seasoned campaigner. He's survived in extremely tough Oakland County," he said.

Republicans say Levin's departure is good news for Snyder, whose popularity has waned after signing a right-to-work law in December, because Democrats have to focus on the Senate. Democrats counter that Michigan now will receive national attention due to the Senate race, boosting fundraising for the gubernatorial challenger and excitement for Democratic voters to turn out in a non-presidential election.

___

Email David Eggert at deggert(at)ap.org and follow him at http://twitter.com/DavidEggert00

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-03-08-US-Senate-Michigan/id-45da0588d05349ff8a439e259f3efd08

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Photos: How the spending cuts could affect you

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Sportscaster Erin Andrews, who is suing Marriott over a stalker secretly filming her through a peephole and posting the nude video online, says the hotel chain is trying to again violate her privacy with a request for her employment and medical records. In a filing this week in Los Angeles Superior Court, Andrews says Marriott is seeking her payroll records, contracts, performance reviews, any disciplinary reports, as well as other employment information from her current employer, Fox. Andrews was employed by ESPN when she was secretly recorded. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/how-budget-cuts-could-affect-you-slideshow/

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Deltic Tornado to take victory over Welton Arthur in Sheffield's Coors ...

Deltic Tornado to take victory over Welton Arthur in Sheffield?s Coors Queen Mother Memorial Cup - Heat 1

Welton Arthur possesses great class, and becomes unmatchable at his best. The draw is in his favour, as he is due to start from the first trap. The black dog has a great chance of taking the charge early in the race.

Therefore, the bookmakers have given him the highest odds of 5 to 4 for the opening heat of Coors Queen Mother Memorial Cup, taking place at Sheffield on Tuesday, March 05, 2012.

Despite a lot of favourable things, it is hard to trust him blindly. He was not impressive last twice. After taking an excellent victory at the end of last year, he could not continue the great work. On his previous two ventures, the son of Head Bound was third on the table. Thus, he is not expected to do the damage.

It is an ideal situation for Deltic Tornado, who is enjoying a good draw. Standing in the sixth trap, the black and white dog has a great opportunity of going wide, and putting the rest under pressure. Winning two of the previous four races shows that he is in good rhythm at the moment.

After doing well at the open level, he stepped into the S1 class, and made a couple of fine outings lately. Hence, one can expect him to beat the 5-4 favourite. Among the other participants are: Luke My Lad, Storming Coco, Clerihan Gold, and Velvet Big Mike.

The 660 metres clash is set to begin at 20:14 GMT. The winner will get a prize of 200 pounds.

Luke My Lad outstayed red a couple of times back in January. Therefore, his confidence would be high. The recent outings, however, don?t speak well. Velvet Big Mike appears to have a mountain to climb here. The punters should stay away from him.

Storming Coco stays well, and she is not the one to be under-estimated. Clerihan Gold is a real credit to the connections, and will give it his best. A thrilling battle is on the cards. We wish the best of luck to all the hounds.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.com's editorial policy.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Deltic-Tornado-to-take-victory-over-Welton-Arthur-in-Sheffields-Coors-Queen-Mother-Memorial-Cup-Heat-1-a213914

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Pre-caffeine tech: iPhone rumor, pug rule!

Helen A.S. Popkin ? ? ? 3 hrs.

Our pre-caffeine roundup is a collection of the hottest, strangest, and most amusing stories of the morning.

The iPhone 5S arrives this summer! Maybe!

In related news, that petition regarding the ability to "unlock" mobile phones got a number of responses, first from the White House itself, and then from representatives of the FCC and the Library of Congress. The gist is: A rule's a rule, but we're going to look into it.

At one time, TweetDeck was one of the most popular clients for Twitter users, so popular Twitter bought it in 2011 ? and now has essentially killed it for mobile phones and the computer desktop.

Speaking of Twitter: A year-long study from Pew Research found that what's said on Twitter isn't always in line with public opinion at large, often differing sharply from a broader slice of the American public. But surprisingly, it doesn't always lean the same way.

Looking for something on the Web? Chances are, you turn to Google. The results you see are a product of complex machinations, and for the first time, Google is giving people a behind-the-scenes look at how search works.

Speaking of a bunch of stuff on the Web, how much does Wikipedia weigh? Let's find out!

Yeah, about that Internet ? here's a study that says rude comments can affect your judgement.

Whatever. Here's a Kickstarter for a cocktail-dispensing robot!

Users of the upcoming Galaxy S 4 (which was teased in a video Monday) may get to test out a whole new kind of hands-free experience. It's possible that Samsung's latest phone will utilize powerful new eye-tracking technology.

In closing: How awesome will it be when pugs finally rule the world?!

Compiled by Helen A.S. Popkin, who invites you to join her on Twitter and/or Facebook.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/pre-caffeine-tech-iphone-rumor-pug-rule-1C8687619

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