(The Conversation) According to a recent Pew Center report, American Christianity remains in a nearly three-decade decline. Responding as none or unaffiliated on religious surveys, people increasingly identify as humanists, atheists, agnostics, or simply spiritual. If current trends continue, by 2070 Christianity may no longer be the dominant expression of American religion.

As a scholar who studies alternative spirituality and new religious movements in the United States, I believe the reality of Americas diverse religious and spiritual landscape is more complex than often presented.

The nones or those claiming no particular religious affiliation range from atheists to individuals searching for spiritual answers outside traditional religious groups. This last group commonly identifies as spiritual but not religious or SBNR. Dissatisfied with traditional religion, these individuals think about spirituality in a more secular way, as representing their pursuit of meaning, healing, purpose and belonging.

In her study of multiple SBNR identities, theologian Linda Mercadante found that the turn away from organized religion does not necessarily come at the expense of faith, ritual or practice. For post-Christianity seekers, Mercadante stresses how spiritual fulfillment moves from religious and civic institutions to gathering places.

Such gathering places range widely.

Many turn to practices appropriated from different religious contexts. Mindfulness and yoga, in particular, have emerged as popular alternatives for seeking spiritual, psychological and physical healing.

These practices point to the growing connection between spirituality and health. Twelve-step meetings for addiction recovery and contemporary medicine, for example, stress the need to balance spirit and body for wellness.

Several nonreligious practices create opportunities to explore spirituality beyond religious affiliation. People find a sense of belonging through the internet and social media. Others turn to self-help literature or elements of popular culture.

Sports similarly provide an avenue for spiritual renewal. The rituals of training, competing and camaraderie reflect the spiritual quest for personal growth and locating community. Digital communities and online options likewise afford new modes for spiritual practice and connection.

Accordingly, some scholars, such as religious studies professor Robert Fuller, have stressed the unchurched nature of the SBNR.

At the same time, the continued desire to find meaning and connection has led to the development of secular, spiritual and atheist churches. Although almost universally understood as physical spaces for religious practice, the rise of nonreligious churches demonstrate the benefits and shared opportunities many nones and SBNR people associate with the experience of going to church.

Emerging over the past decade, and although still small in scale, secular and atheist churches indicate how changes in religious affiliation do not necessarily include a rejection of the communal structures that provide avenues for spiritual rejuvenation.

Atheist churches that include secular rituals have been showing an increase.

The Seattle Atheist Church, for example, positions itself as a place where atheists come together to address big questions and celebrate meaningful life events with atheist rituals. Founded in 2015, the church offers weekly Sunday meetings for a couple dozen participants who share in leading sermons in relation to their commitment to secular humanism, a nonreligious worldview that rejects belief in the supernatural.

Similarly, Sunday Assembly Detroit seeks to help everyone live life as fully as possible. One of 70 chapters spread across eight different countries, the Sunday Assembly was founded by comedians Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans in 2013. Their motto was Live Better, Help Often, Wonder More.

Others find refuge in secularized churches that combine alternative rituals, such as the use of cannabis, with various humanist, ethical and spiritual orientations.

Identifying as Elevationists, members of the International Church of Cannabis in Denver, Colorado, for example, come together through the ritual sharing of cannabis, or what they call the sacred flower.

This sharing, they say, helps them reveal the best version of self. It also aids in discovering a creative voice that can can help enrich the community with the fruits of that creativity. These fruits often manifest as charitable projects, including street cleaning and an outreach initiative to feed and clothe Denvers homeless population.

Such an approach does not deny members who might still hold religious beliefs, but focuses attention away from the supernatural toward self-improvement. Similarly, members of the nondenominational First Church of Logic and Reason, based in Lansing, Michigan, elevate cannabis as a spiritual and therapeutic element. The churchs ritual use of cannabis offers a way to heal and find a sense of belonging for those disenchanted with traditional religion.

Additionally, digital opportunities have emerged as a vital site for cultivating spirituality.

For those disillusioned with traditional religion, digital technologies, apps, and online options offer new avenues to engage with secular and alternative forms of spiritual practice.

Current apps can calculate ones astrological chart or provide online tarot readings. Social media platforms particularly TikTok make a host of New Age practices, including crystal healing, immediately available. Reiki finds a robust community of virtual practitioners, and mindfulness can be cultivated across a host of meditation apps.

Shifts away from traditional religious membership doesnt simply mean Americans are rejecting religion. Rather, they are exploring an ever-evolving spectrum of spirituality.

(Morgan Shipley holds the Foglio Endowed Chair of Spirituality & Associate Chair of Religious Studies at Michigan State University. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service.)

Link:
Atheist churches and the 'sacred flower of cannabis': Americans find spirituality in new places - Religion News Service

Somehow, Thanksgiving is suddenly around the corner our fridge is already stocked with cranberries and brussels sprouts so this is a good time for our recommended books to remind you: Family is complicated. Thats equally true whether youre talking about abolitionist sisters who turn out to have come from a slaveholding family that included Black members, as Kerri K. Greenidge delves into with her history The Grimkes, or exploring a dynasty of merchants who shaped modern capitalism and sat among the ruling class for generations, as Joseph Sassoon writes about in his family history, The Sassoons. Its true in Andrew Millers novel The Slowworms Song, about a (complicated) father trying to make amends with his daughter, and in Jenny Xies poetry collection The Rupture Tense, which grapples with her familys experiences in the Cultural Revolution and her own (complicated) feelings about the Asian diaspora. Its also true of found family, as Kit Heyam demonstrates in a wide-ranging history of transgender identities around the world and throughout time, proving that the concept of gender is itself yes complicated.

Also up this week: a history of North America from an Indigenous perspective, a story collection from a great young Argentine writer, a shipboard romance and a cleareyed book of philosophy that rejects our impulse for platitudes. Happy reading.

Gregory Cowles

Combining narrative flair with a skillful deployment of archival sources, Greenidges penetrating study underscores the moral contradictions and racial trauma in a slaveholding family best known for two white female abolitionists.

The author, an Oxford historian, recasts the history of North America from a Native American perspective, making clear that Native tribes controlled the continent for millenniums: On an Indigenous time scale, the United States is a mere speck. One of the best books ever written on Native American history.

Liveright | $40

In the authors sweeping saga of his familys rise and fall, we learn about figures who shaped not only modern capitalism but our entire world even if theirs is lost. Sassoons book isnt just a marvelous yarn, its an Ottoman Our Crowd that gives his family its due.

Pantheon | $35

Aristocracy, magic and murder overlap on pretty nearly every page of this Sapphic shipboard romance, which is a sequel of sorts to A Marvellous Light. Marskes world-building skills dazzle, and her prose does, too; the book offers a breathtaking romp of a plot and a sense of wondrous possibility.

Tordotcom | $27.99

Darker and more tinged with terror than Schweblins breakthrough novel, Fever Dream, the stories in this collection first published in Spanish in 2015 and now, in Megan McDowells translation, a finalist for the National Book Award in translated literature take aim at the place we feel safest: home.

In this wide-ranging and generous-spirited treatise, a philosophy professor from M.I.T. pushes back against many platitudes of contemporary American self-improvement culture and presents an approach for dealing with lifes harsh realities.

Riverhead | $27

In Millers ninth novel, a former British soldier and recovering alcoholic details what happened when he was serving in Belfast during the Troubles. He does so in a letter to his daughter, trying both to reconnect with her and to redeem himself before he testifies in an inquiry.

Xies second collection, a finalist for this years National Book Award in poetry, considers the upheavals of the global Asian diaspora, especially the silence surrounding the Cultural Revolution and its lasting impact on Xies own family.

Graywolf | Paperback, $17

In this astute, self-aware and riveting study, the nonbinary British academic demonstrates that the history of gender nonconformity around the world is so vast that no single book can begin to contain its reaches.

See the article here:
9 New Books We Recommend This Week - The New York Times

The academy strives to incorporate careful education for cadets on calls regarding homelessness, mental health, substance use disorder, and other crises.

VASSALBORO, Maine The saying goes that nobody can truly understand unless they walk a mile in their shoes. But when it comes to law enforcement, it's a job most won't ever experience.

The Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro is the only law enforcement program in Maine that trains and certifies police officers. It's a rigorous 18-week residential program designed to prepare men and women for the high-stress, split-second decisions they'll face on the streets.

NEWS CENTER Maine reporter Hannah Yechivi spent several days at the academy with the cadets, gaining an in-depth look at some of the programs todays officers are being trained for, which most people dont even know about.

To be certified for the 18-week training program, cadets would already need to have a secured job with a police department in Maine.

Cadets also are required to pass multiple tests -- polygraph, background, medical, physical fitness, psychological, and written -- and be at least 19 years old.

Repetition is important. That's where we develop proficiency," Josh Daley, the Basic Law Enforcement Program coordinator for the academy, shouted to the cadets in one of the many trainings.

Theres a lot of focus on defensive tactics and use of force in general. In addition to that, there's a lot of focus on verbal and nonverbal de-escalation techniques, he said as he explained the progression of the 18-week training program.

These techniques and tactics can be mentally and physically exhausting for many of the cadets going through the program.

We're constantly taking new trainings to see if there's better ways to do what we're doing, safer ways, or more effective ways, Daley said.

The majority of cadets who get admitted into the academy have limited or no experience in law enforcement or how to manage the high levels of stress that come with the job.

If we prepare them for worst case, everything else becomes a little bit easier to manage, everything else becomes a little more comfortable, even in the most uncomfortable states as law enforcement officers commonly find themselves in, Daley said.

When I chose to get into this field, it's because I wanted to do it. It felt like it was my calling, Vincent Perfetto, one of the cadets who went through the training to become a certified police officer, said.

For Perfetto, its a calling he felt compelled to answer. At 21, he's the youngest cadet in his class. His goal is to help people, and he knows it often will be in very uncomfortable situations, which is why this training is so important.

One of the most important things for anyone to do is to constantly seek self-improvement, and it helps a lot when you have people yelling at you, making you improve but then to know after the academy that you need to be your best for the sake of other people, and that's a very strong motivator, Perfetto said.

The training program goes in phases, from skills application to real-life scenarios. All trainings are designed to push him and every other cadet outside their comfort zone.

That was the other major change, I think. I was trained back in the '80s, [to] date myself a little bit, but relatively speaking we did no scenario-based training," Rick Desjardins, the director at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, said. "Today we do a tremendous amount of training with classroom participation, but then [it's] followed up by actually performing those lessons learned in the classroom in an as real-life-as-possible scenario."

When you experience it, you feel all of these things that happen physiologically. But to understand how they impact your ability to function ... is something you have to experience, Daley said. Then I build upon those, tunnel vision, elevated heart rates, labored breathing, fine motor skills, all of these things happen under pretty significant stress."

Its shocking at first. You think you know what it's like to get screamed at, but coming through here ... it's humbling. And as time goes on, again, you get used to it, but you also realize the importance, and your skin gets tough really quick, Perfetto said.

Make sure I check my gear, make sure my car is working, make sure my uniform is properly put together, make sure all my gear is working right, Desjardins said while highlighting some of the small but important things cadets are taught while in the residential program.

One oversight by an officer could have life-or-death consequences, which is why the duration of the program, the residential portion, and all the phases of the training are so critical.

"If you see an officer doing something they shouldn't do that could be dangerous or wrong, you've got to tell them, Desjardins said.

For the purpose of today's class, I am here as a dad of a child with autism, Matt Brown, a crisis-intervention team trainer for NAMI, said.

Nowadays, cadets also learn a skill that's becoming more and more important: how to handle interactions with people who have developmental disabilities, including those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

The number of people affected by autism and developmental disabilities is increasing big time. It's now 1 in 44. So they are going to interact with individuals with autism, and they are going to display with certain characteristics that can be very challenging in terms of safety issues, and it's important that they know how to recognize it, Brown explained.

Another part of an officer's day in many towns and cities in Maine is interacting with people who are experiencing homelessness.

Jim Devine and Cheryl Harkins were formerly homeless, and they came to teach a class to the academy along with the Preble Street Resource Center. They believe that if cadets can hear about their experiences they faced while being unhoused and about the interactions they had with police during that time that future officers can learn different ways to deal with people without a home.

Most of my life I was a master electrician," Devine said. "I was able to house myself. But I am also in recovery from alcoholism, and my drinking is what put me on the streets, you know, which is what happens."

I actually had an officer approach me at a park-and-ride and tell me that I didn't qualify to park in one because I didn't have a home to drive to, Harkins said. "So [it's] just things like that. We are hoping that it would make a change."

Desjardins said the academy has been reflecting on and adapting to how it educates cadets on community challenges such as homelessness.

The concept around that homeless issue is something that I think we've had to take a hard look at how we responded years ago, which is issuing trespass notices, kind of just moving people along as opposed to today, which we really try to listen to the situation that they are in and try to think about how we might be able to facilitate a solution, Desjardins said.

In this day and age, many police officers frequently respond to calls that deal with mental health, autism, counseling, abuse, and other topics that fall into their hands, so the Maine Criminal Justice Academy is making sure the new generation of cadets is prepared for the most common type of calls police officers are getting these days.

In the state, we have about 2,500 sworn law enforcement officers, but we only have around 85 crisis workers, and so we are asking law enforcement to fill in the gaps for a very depleted mental health system, Hannah Longley, director of community programs at NAMI, said.

Longley is teaching future officers how to recognize the signs and symptoms of someone having a mental health crisis.

"We do know in the last year that departments are reporting an increase of 30 up to 60 percent increase in the mental health call volume, that they are seeing in their communities, Longley said.

Roughly 40 percent of people who have a mental health challenge will first be engaged by someone in uniform, Longley said, and often that officer may come with preconceptions.

I know that implicit bias is a big one. We see that all the time," Daley said. "It's always good to understand our own biases and try to effectively work around those things to ensure that they don't come into play in our position as law enforcement officer, which is intended to be objective. We have that training as well, but I think there's always continued training in those areas."

Some of the other important topics cadets are being trained on include implicit bias, stress management, sexual harassment and discrimination, dealing with vulnerable and elder issues, child abuse, and cultural diversity.

After 18 weeks, the class of 68 cadets, the largest in the program's history, have graduated and are now at departments across the state, including Perfetto at the Gorham Police Department.

It's like a big knot in my stomach," the newly certified officer said. "I have to say goodbye to some of the best friends I've ever made. But it's also the most exciting thing I've ever done in my life, to know that my dreams come true, and Im about to do it for real."

Nowadays you can find Perfetto answering any calls that come in, and he's thankful for those 18 weeks.

Its been an immense help, the amount of tools they've given us. I feel more than adequately prepared for whatever they throw at me here, Perfetto said.

His message to people who don't carry a badge is this: I just want people to remember that we are normal people too. We have a very different job than most of you, and it can be very stressful, it can be dangerous. We are trying our best. We hope that everyone feels better or at the very least safer afterward. But at the end of the day, we are just humans, and we are doing the job to the best of our ability, Perfetto said.

Before and after graduating, Perfetto also spent a total of 12 weeks paired with a training officer who showed him the ropes. Desjardins said nowadays it's not sufficient for the academy's training to focus just on the law, arrest and control, defensive tactics, driving, and firearms.

And while all of those topics covered are extremely important, one critical component are those classes focused on mental health, racial in biases, how to deal with the homeless or with people with disabilities and substance use disorder, welfare checks, suicide attempts or threats, and other crisis calls.

More NEWS CENTER Maine stories

See the rest here:
How the Maine Criminal Justice Academy is training the next generation of officers - NewsCenterMaine.com WCSH-WLBZ

40. Kris Murray (Iowa, PF, Junior)

With Keegan gone, Kris is in a good spot to break out and build on the perimeter shot-making, drives past closeouts and defensive playmaking.

39. Jordan Walsh (Arkansas, SF/PF, Freshman)

Though it would be easier to buy Walshs pro potential if he was more threatening from three, scouts still figure to value his defense and versatility to face up and drive, connect in the mid-range and remain active around the rim.

38. Amari Bailey (UCLA, SG/SG, Freshman)

Though no one skill or strength jumps out with Bailey, he does offer intriguing versatility as an interchangeable guard or wing who can handle and pass and make shots from three levels.

37. Sidy Cissoko (G League Ignite, SG/SF, 2004)

Cissoko will build a case around versatility and a Swiss Army knife outlook, given his scoring limitations, 67 size, secondary playmaking and defensive tools.

36. Coleman Hawkins (Illinois, PF/C, Junior)

One more leap as a shooter should put Hawkins in the draft discussion, given the chances that his defensive mobility, play-finishing and energy plays can carry over. He made 19 threes last season, an intriguing development for a 610, switchable big.

35. Kyle Filipowski (Duke, PF, Freshman)

With Dereck Lively manning the middle at Duke, Filipowski has a chance to show off more perimeter offense with his handle, passing and three-ball. Its also a role that could expose his limited athletic abilities for creating, finishing and defending.

34. Leonard Miller (G League Ignite, SF/PF, 2003)

Millers last handful of appearances for scouts have been mixed, but the 610 18-year-olds mistakes seem worth living with. The handle and wiggle to attack at his size remain appealing, while flashes of shot-making and defense suggest Miller can become a versatile scoring mismatch and two-way presence.

33. Marcus Sasser (Houston, SG, Senior)

Sasser is an outstanding shooter off the catch and dribble with a handle for creating separation and getting to spots. Showcasing more playmaking ability, so hes labeled a combo and not an undersized scorer, will be key to securing first-round interest.

32. JJ Starling (Notre Dame, SG, Freshman)

Starling will plug right in for Blake Wesley and similarly attract attention for his athletic drives, three-level shot-making and playmaking flashes.

31. Jalen Wilson (Kansas, SF, Junior)

Though Wilsons three-point shooting fell off last season, the 68 wing shot 56.9 percent inside the arc and proved to be an effective transition scorer and driver because of his finishing. He shot the three better in Chicago at G League Elite camp, and bouncing back to hit more triples could make Wilson look like a more complete off-ball scoring prospect.

30. Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA, SF, Senior)

At some point in the draft, scouts should live with Jaquezs athletic limitations, assuming he shows his sophomore shooting numbers were more indicative than last years. At 67, 225 pounds, hes physically tough at both ends with a versatile skill set to attack, score from the post, hit tough shots and improvise.

29. Arthur Kaluma (Creighton, SF, Sophomore)

A 24-point game against Kansas in last years NCAA tournament, plus a pair of standout showings for Uganda at the African World Cup qualifiers, have Kaluma on breakout watch. With improved shooting, the combination of 67 size, athleticism and shot-making could create three-and-D potential.

28. Adem Bona (UCLA, C, Freshman)

Bona is going to produce off his physical tools, athleticism and motor that should continue translating to easy baskets, putbacks and defensive playmaking at the NBA level.

27. Julian Strawther (Gonzaga, SF, Junior)

Strawther had scouts looking at him last year as a 67 shooter and play-finisher. But now hell play a more featured role in Gonzagas offense, and signs of creation or more off-the-dribble scoring could lead to a major draft-stock spike.

26. Nikola urii (Mega MIS, SG/SF, 2004)

urii had a couple of strong performances in October before an illness and knee injury knocked him out. The 68 18-year-old possesses an appealing mix of positional size, shooting, passing IQ and feel for the game. Mega MIS right now is struggling, and urii should have a green light upon his return. He did make 4-of-4 threes in an exhibition against Overtime Elites top players earlier this summer.

25. Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers, SG/SF, 2004)

Rupert has cooled off after a strong start, though there is still optimism over his pull-up and spot-up shooting development. At 66 with a 73 wingspan, hes an obvious three-and-D prospect for teams who miss on the perceived higher-upside lottery names.

24. Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana, PG/SG, Freshman)

A 66 ball-handler, Hood-Schifino should generate buzz with his craftiness, IQ and skill level with passes and touch shots. Scouts should see a guard who can make teammates better. Hell start moving up boards quickly if he can hide some athletic limitations with tough finishes and mid-range shots and show more range than he did at Montverde.

23. Julian Phillips (Tennessee, SF, Freshman)

Phillips may not have a high-usage role at Tennessee, but his 68 size, shooting and off-ball scoring should still pop to scouts. Given his two-way skills, fit and age, scouts wont be concerned with his production.

22. Tyrese Proctor (Duke, PG/SG, Freshman)

Smooth with his handle and shooting, Proctor should earn fans for his versatility, efficiency and decision-making. Even with Jeremy Roach expected to run the show, the 65 18-year-old Aussie should have enough on-ball reps to show off his improved self-creation and playmaking IQ.

21. Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine, SG, Sophomore)

Before an injury cut Lewis freshman season short, hed put together a handful of big scoring efforts that highlighted impressive athletic ability and shot-making for a 67 freshman wing. With his tools, self-creation and shooting, hell look like a surefire pro by consistently scoring.

20. Dillon Mitchell (Texas, PF, Freshman)

Though Mitchell doesnt offer creation or shooting, he still impacts games just by tapping into his quickness, leaping and coordination for finishing, putbacks and defensive playmaking. How much touch he shows around the paint, and whether some high school passing flashes carry over, should determine whether hes more of a lottery prospect or a mid-to-late first-rounder.

19. Chris Livingston (Kentucky, SF, Freshman)

At 66, 220 pounds, Livingston has the frame and shooting range of a first-round, three-and-D prospect. Though not projected to create often, he does have a translatable, spot-up scoring skill set to catch and shoot, attack closeouts and finish through contact on drives.

18. Jett Howard (Michigan, SG/SF, Freshman)

Howards shooting and overall shot-making versatility for a 68 wing should quickly jump out. With a solid burst, he should also be able to mix in an adequate amount of slashing and driving to add to his off-ball scoring repertoire.

17. Anthony Black (Arkansas, PG/SG, Freshman)

Able to make a team better without scoring, Black will build a case around passing, defensive IQ and the versatility to play-make, finish off the ball and guard multiple positions at 66. Hell fill the Scottie Barnes, Franz Wagner, Dyson Daniels archetype that teams seem high on.

16. Kelel Ware (Oregon, C, Freshman)

Wares translatable finishing and shot-blocking tools create a high floor, but its his shooting development that could push him toward the top 10. At 70, 210 pounds, scouts should have a higher comfort level with Ware if theyre optimistic about his potential to use touch outside the paint.

15. Gradey Dick (Kansas, SG/SF, Freshman)

Dick looks ready to build a case as the freshman classs top shooter. He isnt the most advanced self-creator, but at 68 with outstanding shot-making skill and IQ, hes built for off-ball scoring at the NBA level.

14. Terquavion Smith (North Carolina State, SG, Sophomore)

Terquavion Smith

After burying 96 threes as a freshman and averaging 19.8 points over his last 11 games, Smith feels poised for a big scoring season. NBA teams will picture an instant-offense shot-maker, though improving his finishing and playmaking should raise scouts confidence to another level.

13. Jarace Walker (Houston, PF, Freshman)

Walker looks like a pro physically at 68, 235 pounds. And his strength and athleticism are selling points to his contact finishing and defense. Still, its the versatility to handle, pass and hit tough two-point jumpers that will draw widespread NBA interest. Well be in wait-and-see mode when it comes to his three-point shooting, which wasnt a core strength at IMG Academy.

12. Dereck Lively (Duke, C, Freshman)

At 71, 230 pounds, Lively should look like a plug-and-play finisher and rim protector for NBA coaches. The draft order figures to play a big role in where he goes, as lottery teams with quality centers wont need a second. Still, he should be the first true 5 off the board, especially if he gives Duke post scoring while occasionally flashing his three-point range.

11. Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite, SF, 2003)

Thompson should have a case as the drafts top athlete, and at this point, quickness, bounce and coordination are behind most of his effectiveness and production. He doesnt project as a 2023-24 Rookie of the Year contender, but even at 19 years old, it seems like he could still contribute by earning easy baskets, shadowing opposing wings and covering ground defensively.

His shooting needs to improve, but hes a capable shot-maker once his confidence starts pumping, while self-creation flashes into drives and pull-ups point to a two-way scoring wing archetype.

10. GG Jackson (South Carolina, PF, Freshman)

Jackson will generate much of his offense off physical and athletic plays, though its the flashes of perimeter skill that could help draw top-10 interest. At 69, 215 pounds, hes likely to be the drafts youngest prospect and a big who can handle in the open floor, catch-and-shoot and potentially hit some dribble jumpers when given room.

9. Keyonte George (Baylor, SG, Freshman)

George looks like a surefire college and pro scorer based on his driving strength, shooting versatility and history of catching fire. He could stand to improve his in-between game and finishing, but his shot-making, ability to penetrate and defensive toughness should keep demand high through the season and predraft process. With Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer in the fold, its also a good chance for George to put an emphasis on working on his playmaking.

8. Brandon Miller (Alabama, SF, Freshman)

Its easy to detect upside in an athletic 69 wing with the perimeter skill to self-create and shoot off the dribble. Though it felt like Miller would have a project label as a freshman, he led Alabama in scoring during its overseas summer exhibition tour.

Consistency figures to determine his draft stock and how far away he is from giving an NBA lineup a reliable scoring option. But he seems closer than expected, particularly if he continues to look comfortable from three. If the flashes of passing and defense show up regularly, Miller should be headed for the 2023 lottery.

7. Dariq Whitehead (Duke, SG/SF, Freshman)

Whitehead looks the part of an NBA scoring wing with 66 size, an expanding jumper game and improving three-point consistency. Experience playing off the ball, as well as starring in a lead role for Montverde, should suit him well this year on Dukes loaded roster. Once he eventually returns from a foot injury, avoiding questions about shot selection and shooting legitimacy will be keys to Whitehead staying locked into the top-10 mix.

6. Cason Wallace (Kentucky, PG/SG, Freshman)

Wallaces identity will revolve around pesky defense. But hes also a well-rounded offensive player, capable of playmaking from the 1 and scoring from three levels with a threatening three-ball and sharp pull-up and floater games.

He just wont wow with any physical or athletic trait. Otherwise, his skill versatility, defense and mentality should allow Wallace to look like an easy fit who impacts winning.

5. Cam Whitmore (Villanova, SF, Freshman)

Signs of improved shooting have raised Whitmores stock. Skill development aside, at 67, 232 pounds, his combination of size, power and explosiveness forms an outstanding foundation, high floor and incredible weapon for transition scoring and finishing.

He also shot 10-of-22 from three at the U18 Americas Championship in Tijuana, where he won MVP after a 30-point outburst against Brazil in the gold-medal game. Well see how a thumb injury and time on the shelf affect his rhythm upon returning for Villanova (whenever that may be), but there is enough film to project Whitmore near the top five, particularly given the gradual improvement to his handle and shot.

4. Nick Smith (Arkansas, PG/SG, Freshman)

A high skill level for creation, shot-making and playmaking should help scouts see an interchangeable, NBA guard in Smith. He compensates for limited explosion with ball-handling counters, footwork, changing speeds, finishing craft and touch. The eye test buys his shooting off the catch and dribble. His decision-making and facilitating require further evaluation, but neither seem worrisome enough to seriously worry scouts.

3. Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite, PG/SG, 2003)

For a 67 playmaker, unbeatable levels of quickness and bounce should help scouts look past Thompsons shooting struggles. Between his first step, shiftiness, handle and footwork off the dribble, he gets to any spot he wants. And given his passing skill, hes a creation machine for teammates.

A limited perimeter game likely keeps Thompson from cracking the top two, but everything about his special transition scoring, playmaking and defensive speed appear translatable.

2. Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite, PG, 2004)

Hendersons 25 points and seven assists in Ignites opener could be a regular line for the second-year G-Leaguer.

While his effectiveness is predicated on ball-handling for change of direction and explosiveness to blow by and finish, his dribble jumper game and passing have become significant threats.

In limited action so far, Henderson has looked confident stepping into pull-ups while showing an easy ability to rise and separate from his defender. Decision-making has been his biggest issue, something that showed in Ignites second game when he forced too many contested two-pointers (25 points on 28 shots).

1. Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92, PF/C, 2004)

The outrageous highlights and stat lines keep coming from Wembanyama. He already had scouts convinced after a pair of exhibition games in Las Vegas, but Fridays 33-point, 12-rebound, four-assist, three-block showing helped further strengthen his Best prospect since LeBron James case.

Considering how fluid he consistently looks handling the ball, creating for himself and shooting off the dribbleplus the fact that hes seemingly adding to his game as he gets more comfortablenothing about the Vegas exhibition performances seems fluky.

Worrying about his physicality or rebounding numbers just feels like nitpicking. Were on board with the idea that hes on an NBA MVP track with good health.

Jonathan Wasserman is the lead scout and NBA Draft analyst for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.

Read the original here:
Bleacher Report: Ranking top 50 prospects as college basketball tips off - NBA.com

I am builder; I am problem solver; I am a hard worker. I get better every day.

Hometown: Summerfield, NC

Fun Fact About Yourself: I maintained a 300-gallon saltwater reef aquarium growing up.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Dual bachelors degrees in Chemical Engineering and Finance, Auburn University

Masters degree in Management Studies, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: HSBC Associate, Global Banking & Markets, Diversified Industrials and renewables coverage

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? The ability to learn and solve business problems through collaboration with classmates and professors makes the case method an attractive way of learning. Darden does an excellent job constructing learning teams and class sections, placing at least one to two people with different industry experience in each section. Therefore, we can learn theoretical and current real-world practices for various industries during every class. The case method enhances our management skills by preparing us to navigate ambiguous situations, assess business challenges, and handle differing viewpoints.

Aside from cases and classmates, what was the key part of Virginia Dardens MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Dardens commitment to creating transformational experiences for its students was important. Darden allows every student to participate in one Darden Worldwide Course (international trek) at no additional fee through its new Batten Foundation Darden Worldwide Scholarship program. This opportunity was very attractive to me given my prior background at a global institution and goal to become an international business leader.

Additionally, this commitment was evident during my conversations with current students and alumni. Dardens heightened focus on its community through events such as the Darden Cup, First Coffee, and support for student-driven organizations leads to strong relationships, unforgettable memories, and enhanced personal growth for its community members.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Virginia Darden? I am excited to participate in Darden Capital Management (DCM). The club manages about $30 million of total assets of the Darden School Foundation endowment through 6 different funds. I have always been passionate about investing and enjoyed reading books about famous investors such as Warren Buffet and Ray Dalio. I cant wait to participate in stock pitch competitions, the University of Virginia Investing Conference, and DCM fund meetings.

What has been your first impression of the Darden MBA students and alumni youve met so far. Tell us your best Darden story so far. Darden students and alumni are heavily invested in the Darden community and each others success. The second years have doubled down on their efforts to make sure the Darden experience is fun, inclusive, and supportive. Alumni in every industry and career phase have been willing to connect to share their experiences and help answer questions. Furthermore, my former direct manager, a Darden alumnus, recommended business as a next phase in my career even though our team was very lean and our organization was battling attrition at the time.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment is walking on to the Auburn basketball team and earning a full athletic scholarship after not being recruited in high school and getting cut my first year. This experience taught me the importance of persistence, continual self-development, and a positive mindset. While it is not a professional accomplishment, this experience has paid dividends in my professional career.

My collegiate basketball experience gave me the confidence to contribute to special projects such as setting group lending limits and streamlining the credit underwriting process while supporting more than 15 large multinational clients for HSBC. It also gave me time management skills and the abilities to excel in high-pressure situations and work on teams.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I would recommend prospective candidates read Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss to learn the routines and habits of successful individuals. The author shares each Titans favorite book, movie, purchase, or quote that has impacted their life. You must want to be a butterfly so badly, you are willing to give up being a caterpillar is a quote from the book that has resonated with me the most as I begin my first year at Darden. Thats because my classmates and I have committed to 2 years to undergo a metamorphosis process that will make us better individuals and business leaders. I have used several tools from this book to enhance my daily productivity and achieve personal goals.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? In addition to UVA (Darden), I applied to UCLA (Anderson), Columbia, LBS, MIT (Sloan), Stanford, Dartmouth (Tuck), Wharton, Yale (SOM)

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Virginia Dardens MBA program? Be your authentic self. There is no one on Earth exactly like you and your unique experiences make you special. The case method and Darden experience are highly dependent upon contributions of its students, faculty, and alumni. Therefore, it is very important that your application tells the admission committee what makes you special, your story, and how Darden fits into the next chapter of your life.

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Meet the MBA Class of 2024: Devin Waddell, University of Virginia (Darden) - Poets&Quants

Failing early in our careers can make us question whether we are on the right path. We may look at people who have succeeded from the outset and wonder why it doesnt come so easily to us. Classical violinist Nigel Kennedy, actor Natalie Portman and painter Pablo Picasso are examples of young geniuses who were successful early on.

You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here.

But for some of us, failure at the beginning of our careers is important to later success. For many creatives, how we deal with those moments when things arent going right or youve received yet another rejection letter can make or break us.

The author and self-improvement lecturer Dale Carnegie maintained that inaction breeds doubt and fear; action creates confidence and courage, which inevitably ends up helping a person to succeed. This chimes with what American psychologist Carol Dweck outlines in her 2006 book Mindset.

Dweck discusses the concept of people with a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset. The former is a way of thinking where there is a lack of self belief and a negative persona while the latter is where no challenge or task is too large to take on board. Which mindset you have dictates how you will interpret failure and success and how well you approach everyday life.

This article is part of Fail Better, a series for those of us in our 20s and 30s about navigating the moments when things arent quite going as planned. Many of us are tuned into the highlight reel of social media, where our peers share their successes in relationships, careers and family. When you feel like youre not measuring up, the pieces in this special Quarter Life series will help you learn how to cope with, and even grow from, failure.

A passion for learning and a desire to improve upon failure creates opportunities to learn and challenge yourself. This mentality is a boon to creatives. While yes, there are the Picassos and Portmans of the world, there are also a few famous creatives who had to overcome failure early on in their careers. These individuals demonstrate the growth mindset.

A young schoolteacher from Maine, US, was a passionate part-time writer who worked tirelessly trying to get his novels published (unsuccessfully) in the late 1960s. He continued to believe in himself and chase the dream of becoming a successful author. But sometimes the reality of failure gets the better of a person and after 30 rejections he famously threw his fourth attempt at a novel away.

Fortunately, the manuscript was saved by his wife who, having confidence in his work, persuaded him to continue trying. Eventually, the novel was sold for an advance of 2000, a nice bonus for a schoolteacher. The publishing rights were ultimately purchased for an additional 200,000 and the novel Carrie turned Stephen King into a household name.

Dreams can propel us forward but they can also be crushed by rejection. The composer Johnathon Larson spent years working on his 1991 musical Superbia only for it to be turned down by theatre producers. He was told by his agent to go away and write something you know about.

This was a crushing moment for Larson. Eight years of work rejected. However, he listened to the advice and his next muscial Rent premiered on Broadway in 1996, becoming a box office sensation. The semi-autobiographical Tick, Tick Boom, which Larson began performing as a one-man show in 1990, went on to also be a hit when it premiered in 2001. It has recently been turned into a major motion picture directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Hamilton).

Larsons secret was to learn from failure and take on the advice given to him. He used that experience to propel himself forward. Sadly, Larson never witnessed his triumph, he died on the eve of Rents Broadway premier in 1996 from an aortic dissection. But his life, including his failures, made him successful. His roadblocks became his inspiration. Both of his successful productions tell the stories of larger-than-life characters struggling with their failings while trying to achieve a degree of success.

There are situations in life that conspire to make us fail. However, adversity can often act as a springboard of determination to succeed. My turning point as a youngster was failing my grade five music theory exam. That one singular event, although heartbreaking, made me determined to succeed in music and become a composer and producer of Scottish Musicals.

Others deal with much more difficult circumstances. Imagine being homeless, penniless with partial facial paralysis, yet dreaming of an acting career. Never-ending rejection from talent scouts and agents, hours of waiting for appointments that never materialise, such a life would be demoralising. However, the realisation of personal failure can become the catalyst for success.

This real-life scenario eventually earned Sylvester Stallone over 178 million and catapulted his writing and acting career to stardom. He didnt let these circumstances, which led to failure, stop him. The key here is that he believed in his ability and that drove him onward. Continual failure reinforced his resolve to succeed.

Steven Spielberg had poor high school grades and was rejected three times from film school. He battled through his early career failures before eventually directing 51 films and winning three Oscars. Again, it was his perseverance and self belief that drove his determination to succeed.

We might never become the next Spielberg, King or Larson but the lesson learnt from their experiences is a sharp reminder of the mantra of playwright Samuel Beckett:

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.

Failure is not damaging, it is part of a proactive progression and once we learn to accept that we might be unstoppable. I eventually passed my grade five theory exam and went on to get two degrees and a PhD in musical theatre, the rest is history my personal history began with a failure for which I am very proud.

Quarter Life is a series about issues affecting those of us in our 20s and 30s.

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How early failure can lead to success later in creative careers - The Conversation

Rainn Wilson said he is changing his name to draw attention to the melting Arctic.

He announced at COP27 that he will now go by Rainnfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson.

"This is not a joke, I'm as serious as the melting Arctic," Wilson said at the conference.

"The Office" star Rainn Wilson unofficially changed his name to call attention to the melting Arctic.

Wilson said he will now be known as Rainnfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He announced the name as the COP27 Summit The UN's Climate Change Conference kicked off in Egypt this week.

"This is not a joke, I'm as serious as the melting Arctic, which amplifies global risks including extreme weather events around the globe," Wilson said, according to THR. He said his "scientist friends at Arctic Basecamp" an advocacy group helped him make the name change.

"I'm hoping this name change brings attention to this growing er, melting issue," Wilson said, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Wilson continued: "We need world leaders at COP27 to take notice and take action. The Arctic is melting at millions of liters per second, yet this problem can't seem to make a name for itself, so it's up to us to make a name for it."

THR reported that Wilson is a board member of Arctic Basecamp, a self-described team of Arctic experts and scientists who have advocated about the severity of the climate crisis in the Arctic.

In 2020, Wilson starred in and helped create "An Idiot's Guide to Climate Change" a six-part YouTube docu-series in which he speaks with various scientists and climate experts around the world about the problems facing our environment.

Read the original article on Insider

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'The Office' star Rainn Wilson says he's changing his name to bring attention to the melting Arctic - Yahoo Eurosport UK

Neo4j Inc., maker of the most widely used graph database, today is releasing version 5 of its core engine to general availability, boasting major performance and scalability improvements.

Graph databases have the unique ability to represent complex relationships in a way that enables rapid navigation between elements to discover correlations

The companys AuraDB managed service has already been updated with the new release and self-managed customers can now download it. The most notable improvement is to the Cypher graph-native query language, which has been enhanced with more expressive constructs that make it easier for users to execute complex pattern-matching queries. Combined with improvements in indexes, query planning and runtime execution, multihop queries can now be executed between 50 and 1,000 times faster than in previous versions,saidRamanan Balakrishnan, senior director of product marketing at Neo4j.

The biggest performance gains are seen on K-hop queries, whichsearch all nodes in a designated layer that are associated with the source node through a breadth-first search. This technique is commonly used inranked keyword searches, social network analysis, fraud detection and supply chain optimization, Balakrishnan said. Its a deep query that involves a variable number of operations where you dont know how far you have to go and you have calculations at every step, he said. The deeper the query goes, the faster it gets.

Automated scale-out expansion across hundreds of machines is now supported, enabling self-managed customers to handle a larger number of queries with less manual effort and infrastructure cost. This is achieved with new and enhanced features like autonomous clustering and a fabric that automatically allocates and reassigns computing resources.

Autonomous clustering helps you easily manage multiple databases within a cluster and optimizes on resource constraints and failures, Balakrishnan said. The fabric lets you take a really large graph, shard it and still query it as one single graph.

Sharding is a database management technique that breaks up large databases into two or more smaller ones. Its like scaling your graph across multiple machines and clusters and seeing it as a single graph, he said. You can query across multiple business graphs so your marketing database and your supply chain database can be seen as a single database.

Neo4j alsosaid it will change the way it manages the distribution of updates toensure compatibility between self-managed and AuraDB workloads.The managed service is updatedroughly once a monthbutupdates are distributed to on-premises customers twice a year.In the future, self-managedcustomers will receive updates morefrequently with a guarantee that theirgraph-based applications will workboth on-premises and in the cloud.

Customers can choose to pause on new releases, wait for all the dot releases to come out or adopt any version they want, Balakrishnan said.

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Neo4j boasts of speed and scalability improvements in new version of its graph database - SiliconANGLE News

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IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

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Creating 'active, self regulated, reflective learners' in Marshall, beyond - HNGnews.com

Flathead Valley Community Colleges President Jane Karas is the recipient of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerces Flathead Legacy Award.

A number of awards were handed out at the chambers annual Grand Event Wednesday night at the Wachholz College Center.

Known for being the Kalispell chambers oldest and most prestigious award, recipients of the honor have a civic and volunteer spirit that spans a lifetime and creates a legacy for the community.

Karas began working at FVCC in 1999 as the vice president of Student and Academic Affairs, and was selected as the FVCC President in 2001.

Karas has been described as approachable, available, approaching goals with an unmitigated can do and anything is achievable attitude, thoughtful leader, community-oriented, a uniter, passionate, humble, focused, impactful and more. As one of her many nominators said Legacy is a good word to use when talking about Dr. Jane Karas. She has led a small junior college from a modest start to one of the most respected community college successes in the nation. Expansions of the campus, including new teaching buildings, dormitories, and the new Wachholz College Center and Performing Arts building just one part of her many legacies that will remain in the Valley forever.

Her work has directly benefited and impacted the Flathead and thousands of other businesses in the community through her successful students and their journeys to employees, the chamber notes. She is active in Rotary, chairing hospital boards and numerous other community activities.

Businessperson of the Year Doug Shanks

For 47 years, Doug Shanks has served the communities of the Flathead and beyond growing from one location to 12 locations and over 400 employees with Western Building Center. He has created well-paying jobs, training programs in high schools, started a scholarship program for his employees children, and a mentoring program.

He has served on boards across the county including Habitat for Humanity, North Valley Hospital, Student Build, Sapa-Johnsrud Baseball field, FVCC and others.

As shared in the nomination, Doug would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He is always there for his team and community.

Educator of the Year Micah Hill

Established to honor educational programs or professionals, the Educator of the Year award went to Micah Hill, Superintendent of School District 5.

During his rookie year as superintendent, Hill led Kalispell through one of the most challenging periods in recent history and kept Kalispell schools open during a global pandemic.

Hill was a leader in getting students the technology they needed to successfully participate in virtual instruction when necessary. He kept approximately 750 people employed in the community during a time when many businesses in the Flathead were shutting down or downsizing.

He developed creative ways to recruit and retain staff when employees were difficult to find, the chamber notes, saying he has done all this with grit, grace and compassion.

Hill has shown the ability to respectfully work alongside whoever is in the room, according to a release, and he is admired by his peers and his community and always puts families and children first.

Business of the Year Large Mann Mortgage

Founded in 1989 in Kalispell, Mann Mortgage has grown far and wide and now provides home loans to families in 21 states across 44 offices. They are a family owned business with 140 employees in the Flathead Valley and 470 people across 21 states.

They have won distinctions for both the services they provide and the incredible work culture and environment they have created. They support multiple Valley nonprofits with their employees time and expertise as well as financial donations, including Habitat for Humanity, ImagineIF library, Montana Childrens at Logan, Kalispell Parks and Recreation, and Columbia Falls Community Market to name just a few. Mann Mortgage makes Kalispell a better place to live, work, and play, the chamber notes.

Business of the Year Small/Medium Bias Brewing

Gabe Mariman and his partner Adam opened Bias Brewing in 2018 with a mission to create a community through quality craft beer. They have created a gathering space and amazing craft beers that are much loved and have built a sense of community within their doors, according to the chamber.

This has also been greatly extended by Marimans service to Kalispell outside of the brewery. He serves on the Kalispell Downtown Association board, the Kalispell Business Improvement District Board, leads the Kalispell chambers successful child care initiative, spearheads Frosty the Brewfest, and just recently was the impetus for the new KDA fall run fundraiser. Bias accomplished all of this while purchasing the former Kalispell Brewing, selling Bias previous First Avenue location, remodeling and relocating all within less than an eight-week period.

Nonprofit of the Year

Immanuel Lutheran Communities has been serving the greater Kalispell community for 65 years. Providing purposeful living to senior citizens is a tenant strongly guiding them as they provide a spectrum of care and living options.

They pride themselves on encouraging employee participation in service and community engagement from Rotary to Leadership Flathead, Montana Health Care Association, Hospital Association, Glacier Symphony and Chorale, and more. Always listening to the needs of their residents, employees and community, the chamber notes, they have answered the call and opened a child care early learning facility to address this growing challenge as an employee benefit which opens up other opportunities for children in other centers.

Rising Star of the Year Adam Cebulla

Recognizing an individual under the age of 30 who demonstrates a passion for their career and community, the Rising Star of the Year was given to Adam Cebulla of J2 Business Productions.

As a part of his leadership team, Cebulla consistently and continually shows up with innovative ideas and motivates all of those he works with, according to the chamber. He has a team spirit that works to add value to his company instead of being siloed in his division. His strong work ethic and sales skill are growing, and he is always looking for ways to be involved and support local businesses.

He was a chamber ambassador and enjoys supporting local events, serves on the board of the Kalispell Education Foundation, and is always working on self-improvement.

Community Spirit of the Year Award Tony Brockman

Recognizing an individual who is making a powerful difference in the greater Kalispell community, the Community Spirit Award was given to Tony Brockman.

It is simply impossible to cover all of the involvement, service, and community engagement activities that Brockman has been involved in throughout Kalispell, Evergreen, and the Flathead as a young and growing young professional, the chamber notes. He serves, or has served, on the Flathead County Economic Development Authority board, assisted with the Gateway Community Center restructuring, as a trustee for the Evergreen Rural Fire District, and more. He is known for saying, Decisions are made by those who show up.

His passion and desire to ensure the communitys vitality shines through in all he does, the chamber says.

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Jane Karas honored with chamber's highest honor - Daily Inter Lake