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MAGIC VALLEY For one Idaho family, the importance of blood donations became clear after their five-year-old son, Jack Moser, was hit by a trailer while out camping.

One mistake nearly cost Jack his life.

Jacks just new to being on a bike and he turned and tipped over and he fell under the wheels of the trailer. It was one of those situations where it was nobody's fault. Nobody was acting recklessly or doing anything they werent supposed to. It was just an accident," Jordan Peterson, Jack's Uncle, said.

Jack was losing a lot of blood and in order to save his life, he was flown to a Salt Lake City hospital where he received 11 units of blood.

To put that into perspective, thats more blood than I have and Im 61 250 pounds. I mean thats enough blood to go into a five-year-old, he was tiny. I think that gives you an idea of how much blood he was losing and how important this blood is," Peterson said.

After realizing how vital the blood was to save Jack's life, the family decided to do their part and help set up blood drives to encourage people to donate blood.

Im a paramedic, I understand that blood is important. You need it to make your bodywork. When you dont have that and when you have a family member that needs it, then you realize how important it is," Peterson said.

The severe weather happening across the country has caused a blood shortage nationwide after the Red Cross has been forced to cancel more than 10,000 blood and platelet donations in certain states. They are encouraging Idahoans to donate if they can, to help people nationwide.

Blood donations are critically important. Its not something you can manufacture. In many regards it's kind of similar to an organ donation, it's something so many people count on," Matt Ochsner, Reginal Communications Director of The Red Cross, said.

Jack's family created Help Jack Giveback, a Facebook page, and a way for the family to give back to the community after they received support following Jack's accident. They say their plan moving forward, is to host an annual blood drive.

Where he went from needing 11 units of blood to now where he's running around being a kid today, shows thats such an important part of the process. Thats why we want to help make sure that whoever else goes through this process doesnt have to wonder if they are going to have enough blood," Peterson said.

To learn more about Help Jack Give back you can visit their Facebook page. You can also visit the Red Cross's website to check on blood drives happening near you.

See the rest here:
'You need it to make your body work': Idaho family helps Red Cross overcome blood shortage - 6 On Your Side

Honestly, Id be pretty satisfied if you told me at the beginning of the season that the Memphis Grizzlies would be thrashed with injuries including no Jaren Jackson Jr., only 2 games of Justise Winslow, and 7 games without Ja Morant and with COVID, and theyd still be at .500.

I still am, but the timeline hasnt been pretty since the conclusion of the 7-game winning streak. People think the front office is sabotaging the season partly because they rested a few players after having 4 games in 5 nights. Theyre questioning Coach Taylor Jenkins rotations...when hes adamant about a 10-man rotation, even with 10 players. Its data accumulation season after all!

It seems like the most insufferable timeline for a team thats in the thick of a playoff race in year 2 of a rebuild, but here we are. Lets talk about these concerns with a roundtable, featuring myself (@PAKA_FLOCKA), Justin Lewis (@J_Timberfake_), Jordan Peterson (@JordanP_901), Ben Hogan (@NotTheGolfer), and Jesse Cinquini (@CinquiniJesse).

GBB Associate Editor Parker Fleming: Probably about a 4. Hell snap out of this slump in particular, as there will be a progression to the mean that my Core 4 co-host, Nathan Chester, mentioned in his recent column. I have it higher than a 1-3, because I saw what teams were doing to him in the bubble, and Im hoping its not a sign of things to come in high-stakes games. However, I'm buying his relentless improvement mentality to make him more of a threat from downtown.

GBB Senior Staff Writer Justin Lewis: 3. Hes a second year player tasked with running an entire team. While his shot not falling is a concern, its not unexpected. Hes a fighter and worker. He will figure it out.

GBB Staff Writer Jordan Peterson: My concern is a 1. Where a fan sets his or her expectations dictates whether concern is warranted. I am not concerned long-term about Ja Morant. Not one iota. Not a smidge. Its frustrating when his struggles align with losses, but he is a mere mortal with incredible resilience.

GBB Senior Staff Writer Ben Hogan: 6. Im more concerned for the near future than I am the long term. Jas shooting percentage has dropped from 48% last year to 46% this year. But, his shooting percentage inside the 3-point line has actually improved. The problem is that his 3-point shooting has dropped from 34% to 21%. Ja is a slasher and does most of his work near the rim, and teams know that and have adjusted. The stat that sticks out the most to me is that according to NBA.com, about 70% of the threes Ja has shot have been where the closest defender is at least six feet away. That shows that defenses are giving him that shot. The reason Im not panicking more than a 6 is because Ja doesnt rely on his jumpshot, and is still getting his points.

GBB Staff Writer Jesse Cinquini: Im at a four. Ja Morant is the leagues worst three-point shooter this season when factoring in both percentage (20.6%) and volume (3.3 attempts per game). But as GBBer Nathan Chester highlighted in his recent piece on the audacious point guard, the law of averages is bound to catch up to a percentage that has nowhere to go but up.

GBB Associate Editor Parker Fleming: Im not concerned at all. Though the offense hasnt been good, Im really enjoying his defensive activity. Since Tony Allen, the team has needed a perimeter stopper that can slow the opposing teams go-to guys, and Winslow looks like the part. He looks healthy, just rusty, and hell round his game to be an impactful player for the Grizzlies present and future success.

GBB Senior Staff Writer Justin Lewis: Absolutely not. Hes played two games with some tenacious defense and ended the night healthy. His health is of utmost concern. The rest will come back to him with time.

GBB Staff Writer Jordan Peterson: With a hope-for-the-best-but-expect-the-worst fan base, it is hard not to brace for dashed expectations. But I budgeted for Winslow rust in my expectations. Im not concerned right now. We are experimenting. Sometimes it feels like dress rehearsal, but I appreciate that hes mentally ready to contribute.

GBB Senior Staff Writer Ben Hogan: No. Its only two games. Sure, his shot looks rough as he has had his fair share of airballs. The thing is though, he looks healthy when he runs and jumps. Thats huge. Hes played some really good defense in the first two games as well. And that was against guys like Devin Booker and Luka Doncic, which are not easy assignments. His jump shot may be a work in progress right now, but it seems like everything else is on schedule. The shot will come around.

GBB Staff Writer Jesse Cinquini: Not at all. Winslow spent nearly a year without stepping foot on an NBA court. It was all but a guarantee that he would showcase some rust. If these 1-for-10 and 3-for-14 showings persist for weeks, then theres a reason for concern. But two games is far too minuscule a sample size to panic.

GBB Associate Editor Parker Fleming: 0. Were seeing what happens when a big man is rushed back to injury with Kristaps Porzingis (who suffered the same injury). He looks a step slower, hes a big factor in his teams defensive regression, and theyre apparently taking calls for him. Sure, I understand the frustration, but Id take whats happening in Memphis over the alternate realities.

GBB Senior Staff Writer Justin Lewis: 0. Its not their window, and...well...look at the Kristaps Porzingis nightmare. Id rather be patient with him than risk his future.

GBB Staff Writer Jordan Peterson: Concerned wouldnt be the word. I am eager, but I trust the folks assessing risk tolerance better than my own eagerness to see him play. Short gains risking long-term peril isnt palatable to me, so Ill harness my patience.

GBB Senior Staff Writer Ben Hogan: 1. Did I think that Jaren would have returned by now? Yes. Am I concerned? Nope. I want a completely healthy Jaren when he returns, and not have to worry about him being reinjured when he does return. Also, Im going to put my trust in this front office once again. They havent really done anything wrong for me to question how the Jaren injury recovery is being handled. But, as I have said before, a little more transparency about it would be nice. If Jaren hasnt returned a month from now, then I might be a tad more worried.

GBB Staff Writer Jesse Cinquini: Three. A torn meniscus is one of the more severe injuries in basketball. Yes, most players with Jackson Jrs injury havent sat out this long to recuperate. But Jaren isnt most players. Hes chock-full of superstar potential, and the Grizzlies dont want to risk him possibly reinjuring the meniscus to win a few more games in the here and now.

GBB Associate Editor Parker Fleming: Xavier Tillman will likely be a casualty from the rotation, but Im most concerned about Desmond Bane falling out of the rotation. Theres not much separation between him, Grayson Allen, and DeAnthony Melton, and Im afraid that his lack of experience will make him the odd man out. His development is the most crucial out of the 4 shooting guards, as he has the best chance of sticking around for the next great Grizzlies team.

GBB Senior Staff Writer Justin Lewis: It has to be Xavier Tillman right? Theres no fathomable scenario that Dillon, Grayson, or Melton fall out completely, but Tillman plays in a crowded front court when you consider Anderson is best as a 4 for this team.

GBB Staff Writer Jordan Peterson: With Kyles elevated versatility, I think he is an asset on any lineup. I dont want to see Melton lose steam. Hes shooting 10% better from three then last season so far, and I think the league is already showing us just how important those offensive weapons are.

GBB Senior Staff Writer Ben Hogan: DeAnthony Melton. Once the Grizzlies have a healthy roster it just becomes a numbers game. We have already seen it, as the Grizzlies do have a glut of options on the wing. Melton can play the 1 or 2, and Tyus is already the backup to Ja and I think that Justise may also get some minutes as the primary ball handler as well. Then you have DB, Grayson, and Bane. It just feels like Melton will be the odd man out unless he somehow forces Coach Taylor Jenkins to play him. Hopefully Coach Jenkins rolls with the hot hand out of those guys, but we have seen that he has a preference for playing Dillon and Grayson.

GBB Staff Writer Jesse Cinquini: John Konchars current status as a fringe rotation player is in jeopardy of evaporating once the Grizzlies are at full strength. Hes a high IQ player who can do a bit of everything on the floor. Although Konchar has not found the range from deep with consistency this season (26.7%). Three-point shooting has long been his swing skill. Showcasing no improvement in this area, its difficult to picture Konchar as a rotation staple in the future.

Thank to these writers for tuning into this roundtable. Leave your thoughts below on these questions, and follow them on Twitter!

For more Grizzlies talk, subscribe to the Grizzly Bear Blues podcast network on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and IHeart. Follow Grizzly Bear Blues on Twitter and Instagram.

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GBB Roundtable: Are you worried yet? - Grizzly Bear Blues

Around Thanksgiving, many of us try to pause and reflect on the things we are grateful for in our lives.

Gratitude doesnt come easy for humans, but on the fourth Thursday in November many of us do our best to try to be grateful, at least for this one day of the year.

There are many things for which Im grateful. We live during a time noteworthy for its peace and plenty, both of which are remarkable compared to any other period in human history. Im grateful for the good health I enjoy today and the relative lack of suffering Ive had to endure in more than four decades on this earth. In my personal life, Im thankful for the friends and family who have given me so much, and for a devoted wife who has given me three healthy children, and much more.

Its good to be grateful for such things, I think, but last night it occurred to me I was also missing something. My daughter had just finally fallen asleep, and I was re-reading Jordan Petersons book 12 Rules for Life on the floor. (We read books together at bedtime.)

Someone had remarked to me recently that Peterson talks about gratitude in the books second chapter, Treat Yourself Like Someone You Are Responsible for Helping. Sure enough, near the end of the chapter Peterson mentions a miracle of life he feels a profound, dumbfounded gratitude for: the persistence of humans in severe pain to continue bearing lifes burdens.

It is they, Peterson argues, who hold society together through little more than grit and tenacious spirit.

Most individuals are dealing with one or more serious health problems while going productively about their business, Peterson writes.

If anyone is fortunate enough to be in a rare period of grace and health, personally, then he or she typically has at least one close family member in crisis, he continues. Yet people prevail and continue to do difficult and effortless tasks to hold themselves and their families and society together.

Its easy to forget the number of people in pain in this world. By the nature of his profession, Peterson, a clinical psychologist, is more aware than most of the pain humans endure.

What shocks Peterson, and makes him profoundly grateful, is the masses of suffering people who do not give in to despairbut instead continue to bear responsibility despite the slings and arrows of life.

People are so tortured by the limitations and constraints of Being that I am amazed they ever act properly or look beyond themselves at all, Peterson writes. But enough do so that we have central heat and running water and infinite computational power and electricity and enough for everyone to eat and even the capacity to contemplate the fate of broader society and nature, terrible nature, itself.

"All that complex machinery that protects us from freezing and starving and dying from lack of water tends unceasingly towards malfunction through entropy, and it is only the constant attention of careful people that keeps it working so unbelievably well, he continues. Some people degenerate into the hell of resentment and the hatred of Being, but most refuse to do so, despite their suffering and disappointments and losses and inadequacies and ugliness, and again that is a miracle for those with the eyes to see it.

In a sense, this is the flip side of Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rands popular 1957 magnum opus on individualism and capitalism. Rand saw the Atlases of the world as the productive entrepreneurs who worked tirelessly to create value despite looters seeking to steal the fruits of their labor.

The Atlases of the world, as Peterson sees it, are the millions and millions of faceless people who persevere in the face of adversity and suffering that would drive so many to despair.

This is why people must treat themselves like someone they are responsible for helping. We must care for ourselves so we can bear the burden and suffering that life will inevitably inflict upon us, Peterson argues.

You need to consider the future and think, 'What might my life look like if I were caring for myself properly? What career would challenge me and render me productive and helpful, so that I could shoulder my share of the load, and enjoy the consequences? What should I be doing, when I have some freedom, to improve my health, expand my knowledge, and strengthen my body?'

Heaven, Peterson explains, will not arrive on its own. And if we fail to strengthen ourselves, we may find its opposite here on earth.

So this Thanksgiving, I can only express my deepest thanks to all the people who continue to persevere despite the chaos and pain, who refuse to succumb to despair, resentment, envy, and cruelty.

You, too, are the Atlases of this worldparticularly during this season of despair and suffering.

See more here:
Why Jordan Peterson's Message on Gratitude Is More Important Than Ever | Jon Miltimore - Foundation for Economic Education

Neumann-Goretti senior Omoiye Jordan controls the ball during a recent game against Conwell-Egan. Photo/Mark Zimmaro

Omoiye Jordan isnt all talk.

As a vocal leader of the Neumann-Goretti High School girls basketball team, Jordans actions are both heard by her teammates and followed on the court. But Jordan goes a step further when it comes to school and standing up for things she believes in.

After witnessing a summer of racial tension unfold across the country, Jordan took a stand when she noticed similar things were happening in her own life. She began building the groundwork for a black student forum at her school.

After everything hit during quarantine and police brutality was happening, there was a lot of insensitivity going on in my school, Jordan said. And I felt people need to be more educated about racial situations like that and I thought this would help. I wanted to bring in speakers to the school to talk to students and teachers about it, hoping problems would come to an end.

The process of forming an official forum has been slowed during the pandemic, but Jordan isnt giving up, even if it happens after she graduates in the spring.

With COVID and everything, the administration at school was having a struggle with it, Jordan said. But they are talking to me about starting it next year for the underclassmen. There have been some Zoom meetings so far with parents on the topic, helping them know what to say to their kids. I dont know exactly how many people attend but it started happening and it wasnt happening before. So its a step in the right direction.

Its that type of bravery and persistence that has earned her teammates and coaches respect both on and off the court. Jordan is seen as one of the Saints leaders as the team once again competes in the tough Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division, and shes pretty good at putting the ball in the basket, too. Jordan has both an inside and outside presence with the ability to grab big rebounds or knock down a crucial 3-pointer when her team needs it. Saints coach Andrea Peterson says Jordan checks a lot of boxes, especially when it comes to leadership.

Shes fantastic, Peterson said. She leads this crew and wants to do a lot of things off the court and lead movements. Omoiye is the one that takes the lead on a lot of stuff, and people respect her for that and I think its going to bring awareness to a lot of things. And on the court, even if she struggles scoring, she finds a way to play harder on defense to find her stride.

The Saints had a tough start to the season, as they were able to participate in full-contact practices only a handful of times before starting the season against perennial powerhouses Cardinal OHara and Archbishop Wood, which resulted in an 0-2 start. Since then, Neumann-Goretti has rebounded with wins over Bonner-Prendergast and Conwell-Egan before taking a tough loss to Archbishop Carroll over the weekend.

Were still trying to figure it out, Peterson said. Its not a sprint, its a marathon. Weve had limited practice, but as long as we stay together, well hit our stride. If we can dig deep a little bit, were going to be really, really good.

Jordan says her team is rounding into form.

We started off a little slow, Jordan said. But weve been able to pick it up and get in a rhythm because we rely on each other more instead of relying on one person to win the game for us like last year.

Preparation wasnt easy. When teams werent allowed to practice due to COVID restrictions, Jordan helped unite her team with workouts whenever possible, even if it meant just keeping in contact.

We try to call each other or text each other for open runs if they were available, or get into the gym when we can, so thats been helpful, but it was way better being able to actually practice again, she said.

Jordan says shes undecided on where she plans to attend college next year but hopes basketball is in her future. Right now, shes just thankful that there is indeed a high school basketball season after some doubt lingered surrounding the pandemic.

I was really disappointed at the beginning of the season because it wasnt looking good, Jordan said. But I was really glad our coach was able to tell us that we were going to play and finish out my senior year with an actual season.

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Jordan a leader on and off the court - South Philly Review

The YouTube of today is a vastly different platform from the YouTube of yesteryear. Once characterized by cheesy, poorly-filmed comedy skits and the dominating presence of Vevo, it was a mecca of low-brow humor and cat videos. YouTubes audience, however, has matured, and so has its content.

The video essay is taking over YouTube as a primary form of content on the platform. YouTubers with niche knowledge and impeccable production value are becoming major stars. These YouTubers are smart they have high level knowledge about topics from critical theory to historical dress and they perform for the camera in a manner that is entertaining, educational and far-reaching. Many viewers are flocking to YouTube, not just to laugh, but to learn and the best creators offer both.

The video essays I will discuss in this column are nothing short of works of art. They often combine musical score, high fashion and makeup alongside performance and narrative, with sturdy cultural critique and analysis that is both complex and easily digestible. And, perhaps most importantly, they are a hoot to watch.

***

You cant talk about YouTube video essays without mentioning ContraPoints, also known as Natalie Wynn. She is one of the pioneers of this digital movement toward video essays, and her videos, perhaps best described as films, present some of the highest art, critical analysis, skilled performance and humor that the platform has to offer. Wynn delivers all of this surrounded by elaborate sets and beautiful score, while wearing full drag, tipping a 40 oz. to the head and engaging her own hilariously on-the-nose characters through dialogue, a la Plato. If anyone can be described as the intellectual figure of this generation, its ContraPoints.

Wynn might be described by some as a classically trained academic. She studied piano at Berklee College of Music and received a bachelors degree in philosophy from Georgetown. She then attended Northwestern to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy.

But this is where Wynns career diverged from the traditional academic. She dropped out of the Ph.D. program at Northwestern, saying to Vice News, The idea of being an academic for the rest of my life became boring to the point of existential despair.

Wynn plays an important role in the contemporary intellectual community she is no modern liberal. ContraPoints, rather, is a radical leftist. But while many modern left-liberal movements have condemned discourse with the other side, ContraPoints has embraced it. She doesnt shy away from engaging with the arguments of incels, the alt-right, TERFs and public intellectuals such as Ben Shapiro and Jordan Peterson (whose visage she hilariously flirts with in a bathtub).

This is where Wynns academic training combined with her high emotional intelligence make her a powerful public presence. Shes been credited with converting many young alt-right leaning men away from dangerous racist, sexist, transphobic rhetoric. If youve ever argued with an alt-righter or Trumpist, you might be wondering, how the f*** does she do it?

Wynn herself says, Its not just about calling someone out and using logic, because there are emotional and psychological reasons that people hold their political convictions. From a psychological standpoint, you have to empathetically enter a persons world; not just why do they think what they think, but why do they feel what they feel? Repeat that back to them and you can really gain traction.

Indeed, her critiques are always based on charitable interpretations of the arguments that she addresses, and her combination of philosophical argumentation and sociology has proved to be powerfully effective. For many, its difficult to explain to someone why white supremacy is wrong, they just know that it is. But ContraPoints can do it. Her video on the alt right breaks down both the factual incorrectness and negative ethical value of common, normalized white supremacist arguments. She takes the alt-rights very own arguments and talking points and breaks them down in a clear, charitable and thorough way that makes her critique nearly impossible to dispute. She puts words to concepts that, for many, have been impossible to describe. And she does so in a way that reaches people on every side of every aisle.

Contras content isnt just devoted to changing the opinions of alt-righters. She also makes video essays that critique and analyze cultural phenomena (such as cringe, beauty, cancelling and degeneracy) with the double-edged sword of philosophical breakdown and extreme drag looks. These videos are fun, but so solid in their argumentation that I was able to use The Darkness as a source for my philosophy capstone paper; they have true academic utility. Within these films, she discusses each topic as it pertains to gender, sexuality, behavior, personal beliefs and more. She works out meaningful and thorough descriptions for these topics that provide exquisite foundations for her analysis. She, critically, has perfected the fine art of meaningfully differentiating between expedient political rhetoric such as trans people are born in the wrong bodies (phrasing which is not philosophically nuanced, nor true to every trans persons experience, but is critical to the acquisition of rights for trans people) and more complex metaphysical discussion about gender, sex and orientation which many modern academics shy away from.

What puts ContraPoints a step above the rest is her bold, critical and unapologetic nature. Shes not nice. She doesnt cater to anyone or anything, left or right. Shes not afraid to say, I am an evangelical transsexual. I dont want toleration, damn it. I want converts, and she certainly doesnt care whether you think she means it or not. She pursues whats true, whats expedient and whats hilarious. And she does it all while dressed as a sexy catgirl.

Natalie Wynns work is of the highest art, but dont just believe me, check it out for yourself. Did I mention shes funny?

Contact Rachel DAgui at rdagui at stanford.edu.

The rest is here:
The Rise of the Video Essay as Art: ContraPoints - The Stanford Daily