This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Flatworld Knowledge for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

This is a subject near and dear to my heart – the ability for students to use the most current, most informative textbooks for their study. Giving teachers the ability to use textbook customization. Too often, students are forced to learn subject matter from out of date textbooks. In a world where being at the cutting edge is so important, don’t you think having leading edge material is the best way to learn?

Flat World Knowledge Provides Living Breathing Textbooks

Teachers and students now have a choice. They can suffer along using static material, or explore new territory. Flat World Knowledge makes this possible with their “living, breathing dynamic learning platform.” Simply put, textbooks on a wide range of subjects, written by experts in their field and published under the Creative Commons open license are available for free when used online or a small fee for downloading and accessing offline.

Teachers and Students Using Only the Best of the Best Textbooks

Using a platform that Flat World Knowledge calls “Make It Your Own” (MIYO) tailoring a textbook has never been easier. Chapters and sections can be dragged and dropped, thus arranging the course the way the teacher would like it presented; edited to keep the book current and alive; and even insert new material including video and audio multi-media for true interaction. The latest relevant material from YouTube and BlipTV can even be inserted into any given textbook.

Once the textbook has been modified to the instructor’s liking and published, the textbook becomes available in a wide range of options:

o In HTML format, fully functional with features like search, the ability to take notes, and multi-media support

o In PDF format for easy printing (what is called a softcover version in b/w) on demand

o ePub and .mobi file format for mobile readers and devices (iPad, Kindle)

o As an audio book, and

o Digital Braille ideal for individuals with print disabilities.

Watch this video to see how unique and wonderful the world of textbooks can truly be:

Textbooks for Free or a Small Fee

All online access to Flat World Knowledge textbooks is free. Offline access (downloading the textbook) costs a fraction of the price most educational bookstores charge starting at just $25 for most formats and $35 for the printed version. This is the way education can and should grow. Out with the outdated and in with the new. Textbooks that take on a life of their own where teachers can truly teach and students can truly learn.

It was several years ago when I posted a short piece on the cycle of democracy. At the time, I was very surprised at the vast number of visits that piece received. I believe that even back then (it was posted in October 2008) people were aware that changes were in the wind. How much things would change only the most rich and powerful knew – the rest of us just felt the first rustlings of a breeze.

Is It True? Is There Really A Cycle of Democracy?

“…the average age of the world’s great civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years…”

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy.” (Cycle of Democracy)

The Cycle of Democracy Often Referred to as the “Fatal Sequence”

* From bondage to spiritual faith;
* From spiritual faith to great courage;
* From courage to liberty;
* From liberty to abundance;
* From abundance to selfishness;
* From selfishness to complacency;
* From complacency to apathy;
* From apathy to dependence;
* From dependence back into bondage.

My reason for writing this information yet again stems from a piece I read on how the bill proposed and passed to assist homeowners to keep their homes is under attack (see Mortgage Reform Storm Is Brewing (CNBC).

Will we once again allow apathy to win out?
What do you think?
Is the cycle of democracy rounding the final bend?

It’s amazing how you can get lost at YouTube as you search for the perfect song videos. Tonight, for reasons beyond me, I really wanted to find the perfect song video to post. My journey actually began with a hunt for sand paintings, which lead to hypnotic videos, which lead me to oldie but goodie song videos. Then I started thinking about specific songs.

Song Videos From Way Back

One of my all time favorites is “Johnny Angel” (and trust me I saw the original sung on Father Knows Best – anyone young, well you can just look that up for yourself LOL – but I was a little girl myself). But, I didn’t stop there, my quest lead me deeper and deeper into YouTube where I came across Elton John. I listened to “Tiny Dancer” and a bunch of other song videos. Finally, hours later (and holy cow it’s after 2 a.m.!), I settled on the following… (more…)

Whether you are for or against smoking, everyone of us runs into those no smoking signs. They are literally everywhere one goes nowadays. However, there are still smokers among us, and from a completely nonjudgmental way, they do need help when they find themselves in those no smoking zones.

No Smoking Alternatives

I confess. I am a smoker. I have stopped for periods of time, but I do not think “stopping” is the same thing as quitting. Quitting is a once-and-for-all event. Stopping merely implies a break in one’s habits. And yes, there are some remedies available for those no smoking situations. Trust me, I’ve tried them. From nicotine gum to the patch to even a truly nasty candy-type thing (yuck!). The gum messed with my teeth, the patch – heavens it was a horrible experience (I felt as if I’d been poisoned, it was that strong), and the candy thing… well again yuck comes to mind, it just was unpleasant.

So How Does One Go About Obeying the No Smoking Signs?

I recently heard of a new product on the market, so I went on my favorite hunting expedition to look for cigrx reviews, and I’m impressed! No I’m not just saying that, I truly am happy to see that there is the exact alternative I’ve been looking for that will help during my excursions outdoors (I mean out outdoors, we smoke outside even at home). As a smoker, you’ll know the times I’m talking about – the movies, the mall, in the car with your kids – all the places where a truly conscientious smoker realizes that others around you expect you to obey the no smoking rules. (more…)