It does not take much skill to put the aircrafts lift-vector on the other aircraft and yank on the Gs. In fact, if in doubt, just doing that will take care of 75 percent of the fight. But BFM is about being smoothly aggressive. Understanding the difference between when it is necessary to max-perform the aircraft and when it is time to preserve or efficiently gain energy back is key. In a tight turning fight, gaining a couple of angles at each merge can suddenly result in one aircraft saddled in the other aircrafts control zone working a comfortable rear quarter gun-tracking shot.

In true gamesmanship fashion, the guns-only BFM engagement was the setting for the AlphaDogfight contest. So what jumped out at me about the engagements? Three main points. First was the aggressive use of accurate forward quarter gun employment. Second, was the AIs efficient use of energy. Lastly was the AIs ability to maintain high-performance turns.

During BFM engagements, we use training rules to keep aircrew and aircraft safe. An example of this is using a hard deck, which is usually 5,000 feet above the ground. Aircraft can fight down to this pretend ground level and if an aircraft goes below the hard deck, they are considered a rocks kill and the fight is ended. The 5,000 feet of separation from the actual ground provides a safety margin during training.

Another training rule is forward-quarter gunshots are prohibited. There is a high potential for a mid-air collision if aircraft are pointing at each other trying to employ their guns. Due to the lack of ability to train to forward-quarter gunshots, it is not in most aviators combat habit patterns approaching the merge to employ such a tactic. Even so, it would be a low probability shot.

A pilot must simultaneously and continuously solve for plane-of-motion, range, and lead for a successful gun employment. It is difficult enough for a heart of the envelope rear-quarter tracking shot while also concentrating on controlling a low amount of closure and staying above the hard deck. At the high rates of closure normal for a neutral head-on merge, a gun envelope would be available for around three seconds. Three seconds of intense concentration to track, assess, and shoot, while at the same time avoiding hitting the other aircraft. The Heron Systems AI on several occasions was able to rapidly fine-tune a tracking solution and employ its simulated gun in this fashion. Additionally, AI would not waste any brain cells on self-preservation approaching the merge avoiding the other aircraft. It would just happen. The tracking, assessing, and employing process for a missile is not much different than the gun. I am pretty confident AI could shoot a valid missile shot faster than I can, given the same data I am currently presented within the cockpit.

The second advantage of AI was its ability to maintain an efficient energy state and lift vector placement. BFM flights certainly instill aviators with confidence in flying their aircraft aggressively in all regimes of the flight envelope. However, in todays prevalent fly-by-wire aircraft, there is less aircraft feel providing feedback to the pilot. It takes a consistent instrument scan to check the aircraft is at the correct G, airspeed, or angle-of-attack for the given situation.

Even proficient aviators have to use a percentage of their concentration (i.e. situation awareness) on not over-performing or under-performing the aircraft. AI could easily track this task and would most likely never bleed airspeed or altitude excessively, preserving vital potential and kinetic energy while also fine-tuning lift vector placement on the other aircraft to continue the fight if required.

Lastly is AIs freedom from human physiological limitations. During the last engagement, both aircraft were in a prolonged two-circle fight at 9 Gs on the deck. A two-circle fight is also referred to as a 'rate fight.' The winner is the aircraft who can track its nose faster around the circle, which is directly proportional (disregarding other tools such as thrust vectoring) to the amount of Gs being pulled. More Gs means a faster turn rate. 9 Gs is extremely taxing on the body, which the pilot in the contest did not have to deal with, either. A human pilot would have to squeeze every muscle in the legs and abdominals in addition to focused breathing in order to not blackout. During training, I maintained 9 Gs in the centrifuge for about 30 seconds. Then I went home and took a nap, and that was without being shot at. AI does not care about positive or negative Gs. It will perform the aircraft at the level required.

The truth is current aircraft have to be built to support the 'pile of human' sitting in it. The human will always be the limiting factor in the performance of an aircraft. I fight the jet differently now than I did as a junior officer when I was young and flexible. I have to fight differently. I know what my capabilities are to get a consistent and repeatable shot with the little bit of neck magic I have left to keep sight of the other aircraft. The fact that in the contest, the AI had perfect information at all times, and rules of engagement were not a factor, are not inconsequential details. I recognize that providing the amount of data and sensor fusion the AI would require to perform at the same level in a real aerial engagement (one that does not take place in cyberspace) is not a small undertaking and still a bit in the future. The rules of engagement discussion could fill up the syllabus for the entire semester of an ethics class, and will always be a touchy subject with regards to AI's involvement in war.

I am not an engineer, nor an ethics professor. Yet, as a pilot, I am intrigued. A computer model was able to react to the movements of a human pilot and effectively employ weapons. During the five engagements, the AI had 15 valid gun employments and the human pilot had zero. These results also hint at the AIs ability to avoid being shot while effectively employing its own weapons.

An AI-enhanced weapons employment system in my aircraft? I am not ready for Skynet to become self-aware, but I am certainly ready to invite AI into the cockpit. Hell, I am only a voting member as far as the flight controls are concerned in the Super Hornet anyways. If I put a control input in that is not aerodynamically sound (i.e. could result in a departure from controlled flight), the flight control system will not move the control surface or will move a different surface to give me the movement I am requesting. Who is flying who?

So, if tomorrow my seven-year-old daughter decides she wants to become a Naval Aviator, I am not going to shoot down the notion and go on a rant about the last generation of fighter pilots. I know there will be a Navy jet for her to fly. My future grandchildren, however? Saddle up kids and prepare yourself for some of Grandads wild tails of the greatest flight in Naval Aviation: the one-hour BFM cycle back to the Case One s**t-hot break. Those were the days!

Contact the editor: Tyler@thedrive.com

Original post:
Navy F/A-18 Squadron Commander's Take On AI Repeatedly Beating Real Pilot In Dogfight - The Drive

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson at the Canadian Summit '17 on Wednesday June 28, 2017. Veronica Henri/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network

Gov. Mike Huckabee, the father of former White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee, has some pretty interesting observations regarding Black Lives Matter. He speaks of a far more accurate designation Black Lives Matter More. He also finds an inherent trap in the name: If you disagree with the tactics or ideology of the organization, youre automatically considered a racist.

For example, in my town in Southern California, a bit bigger than Chatham-Kent, our Fourth of July parade was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise our huge fireworks display was cancelled. Yet for the third consecutive week in a row, the Black Lives Matter organization was given a permit to demonstrate, despite some pretty bad behaviour over the previous two events.

Likewise, the mayor of New York City was seen disrupting a funeral ostensibly because of the pandemic, but allowed BLM supporters or at least those who attended BLM events to loot, riot and assault people with impunity.

It seems that organizations and cities are falling all over themselves to placate the organization.

I dont understand the support, as ultimately they were founded upon a lie. Jonathan Caperhart of the Washington Post describes Michael Brown as an inappropriate symbol. And the Hands up, Dont shoot slogan that originated in Ferguson, Missouri was made up by a witness found to be a liar.

When two of an organizations leaders very openly describe themselves as highly trained Marxists and are very open about their plan of dismantling our society, then whats the attraction?

But their trainers apparently did a good job, because, as with Mao, one of their first objectives was to deface or destroy important parts of the existing culture.

One of their colleagues expressed a desire to burn the country down, and in that interview was prompted by an interviewer to clarify whether he meant that literally or figuratively. He seemed to not understand at first, and then said burning down the country was up to us.

Canadian Jordan Peterson saw this coming three years ago. He said what fed them was hatred, but we had to remember that ultimately they were like a clueless, rebellious kid that gets sucked in by the mob, and gets saturated with blood lust when behind a hammer and sickle flag.

Peterson said we should approach them in a spirit of peace, as hate creates more hate, ultimately hitting a flash point like we see today.

What theyre after is absolute power.

Im thinking its a bit late for peace.

Were upside down here. A couple saw their gate come down with rioters threatening to kill them, so they backed the crowd off. A district attorney threw corrupt charges them and not at the rioters.

As I pointed out, other legal groups are not allowed their U.S. First Amendment rights, but this organization is faced with no such barrier.

Its frustrating to see cops under the microscope, afraid to use reasonable force to stop looting and other crimes. A few weeks ago, Antifa announced on social media they were going to destroy a town located a bit north or me. A reception of well-armed citizens were waiting for them. Apparently that didnt keep a few of them from running off at the mouth and they got a hard lesson about threatening peoples home.

Its not the way we want to see things going, but if we keep treating them with some special dispensation its likely things will get worse.

Greg Scharf was born in Sarnia and lives in California

Read the rest here:

Jordan Peterson saw this coming a while ago - Sarnia Observer

Watching the Republican National Convention has felt like falling into an algorithmically-driven rabbit hole of right-wing YouTube.

Instead of relying on former presidents or party nominees to give impassioned speeches on conservative values and policies, the RNC has been dominated by Trump-supporting culture warriors whose rhetoric sounds eerily similar to online discourse pushed by right-of-center (some decidedly far-right) social media stars.

The four-day political pageant even kicked off Monday night with a speech by a prominent conservative YouTuber, Charlie Kirk.

The 26-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder with close ties to the Trump White House called the president the "bodyguard of Western civilization." Whatever Kirk meant by "Western civilization" isn't exactly clear, but the term is an obsession of right-wing YouTubers like Dennis Prager, "Intellectual Dark Web" celebrities like Jordan Peterson, and the recently banned by YouTube alt-right philosopher Stefan Molyneux.

When Georgia State Rep. Vernon Jones spoke at the RNC of the Democrats' keeping Black people on their "mental plantation," I felt like I was listening to Candace Owens, the YouTube star and Trump favorite who started "Blexit" to convince Black people to abandon the Democratic Party.

Patrica and Mark McCloskey best known for drawing their guns on Black Lives Matter protesters outside their St. Louis home called congressional candidate and protest organizer Cori Bush a "Marxist liberal activist" during their RNC speech. Granted, Bush is a Democratic Socialist, but the McCloskey's deliberate and repeated invocation of Marx made me think of "cultural Marxism" an obsession of conspiracy theorists like former InfoWars editor-at-large Paul Joseph Watson.

Right-wing YouTubers like Ben Shapiro are positively obsessed with opposing left-wingers' goal of "equality of outcome" rather than "equality of opportunity." The latter phrase made it into both Jon Voight's RNC intro narration and Tiffany Trump's Tuesday night speech.

There's nothing particularly novel about hearing these things at an overtly partisan and propagandistic event. Conservatives don't like socialism, they like their "culture," and they can't understand why more Black people won't vote for them.

What's striking is how these phrases, which are repeated like mantras on right-wing YouTube, have made it to the big kids' table at the RNC.

One reason for YouTube rhetoric reaching prime-time could be that under Trump, the GOP's long flirtation with anti-intellectualism went into high gear. Thoughtful, principled Republicans were purged as "Never Trump cuck-RINOs." All that remains are Trump sycophants and a leader who openly flirts with dangerous online conspiracy theories like QAnon.

Filling the void are the conservative YouTubers, whose audiences are legion, and who are directed deeper into extreme content both by the site's algorithm and by the communities formed around these channels.

Hearing these phrases and bugaboos sprinkled throughout RNC speeches feels in some sense like a callback to their original sources. And they may be deliberate or inadvertent signals to young conservatives.

The message: We know who the conservative thought leaders are in the Trump era, and we watch their videos, too.

More here:

The RNC is turning into one long right-wing Youtube video - Business Insider - Business Insider

It is a more diverse outfit than many of its detractors assume, John Dickie argues

Aug 29th 2020

The Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World. By John Dickie.PublicAffairs; 496 pages; $32. Hodder & Stoughton; 25.

SINCE THEY first came to prominence in the alehouses of 18th-century London, the Freemasons have proved adept at self-promotion. From their blindfolded initiation ceremony, obscure rituals and symbols and infamous handshake, the organisation has grasped the powerful attraction of mystery as a recruiting tool. Today the secret society has around 6m members, most of them in America.

Conspiracists have long speculated that these individuals are part of a secret world order, with ties to the Illuminati and satanic cults. Debunking these theories is relatively easy, but in his new book John Dickie goes much further. Based on years of research into the archives of the Grand Lodges, he has produced a global history of the organisation, explaining how the brand spread far beyond Europe. The Craft is a fascinating tale of imperial trade, warfare and scientific progress which presents the Masons as a response to the broader development of the modern world.

In their simplest form the Freemasons are groups of (almost exclusively) men, who undertake to pursue a beautiful system of morality and self-improvement according to a symbolic code. Their society is united by pledges to defend rational, enlightenment values, and over the centuries has attracted many high-profile members, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Winston Churchill and Walt Disney. In this account, however, Mr Dickie veers away from celebrity biography to focus on the broader membership. His characters are idealists and misfitspolitical exiles and refugees, traumatised soldiers, addicts who have overcome their vices. Their organisation, says Mr Dickie, is essentially a network of patronage. But he emphasises how many Masons treat its values of friendship, respect, integrity and charity as genuine anchors in their lives, not simply as window dressing for a practical agenda.

It is tempting to see the Masons as an elite clique of white, male, middle-class gatekeepers. And that has often been true. But the outfit described in The Craft is more diverse. In early modern Europe, Mr Dickie writes, the Lodges were among the few places where men from different classes could socialise. The Masons wore (and still wear) gloves during their meetings so that no Brother can tell the difference between the hands of a Duke and the hands of a dustman. Slaves were forbidden to join, but several American branches, such as that led by Prince Hall, a black leatherworker from Boston, played a role in the abolitionist struggle. In theory the Masons do not accept females, yet Mr Dickie meets Olivia Chaumont, who in 2007 became the orders first transgender member.

Most books about the Masons speculate on the extent to which they have shaped history. Mr Dickie is more interested in the opposite question. He shows how reactionaries have consistently projected their darkest fears onto the society. In 18th-century Lisbon, as the Inquisition entered its decline, the Catholic authorities presented the Masons as an illicit gay cult. After the French revolution the English feared them as Jacobin agitators; Hitler and Mussolini ranked them among fascisms most dangerous foes.

For all that, in moments of violence and political chaos the Masons have tended to come out on top. Mr Dickie is also a historian of the Mafia, and he suggests a connection between Italian Lodges and organised-crime syndicates. Some leading Masons, such as Licio Gelli, the head of Italys P2 Lodge in the 1970s, have collaborated profitably with terrorists and money-launderers. According to a former Grand Master in Calabria, 28 out of 32 Lodges in the region were known to be controlled by the Ndrangheta as recently as the 1990s.

The Craft is a well-researched account that dismantles any lingering suspicion that the Freemasons are preparing for world domination. Almost all such calumnies assume they have some form of central governmentMr Dickie makes clear that there is no such thing. While the Lodges share some core principles, they are remarkably various. Masons have been revolutionaries and reactionaries, progressives and conservatives. By chronicling these shifts, Mr Dickie has turned legend into history.

This article appeared in the Books & arts section of the print edition under the headline "Inside the Lodge"

Link:
A global history of the Freemasons - The Economist

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kyle Massey, 29; Jason Priestley, 51; Jack Black, 51; Shania Twain, 55.

Happy Birthday: You are sitting in a unique position. You have the means to get what you want, but if you let the little things get to you, youll find it challenging to reach your destination. Concentrate on whats important, and pay attention to maintaining your values, sticking to your budget and achieving what you set out to do. Make self-improvement and expanding your interests your priorities. Your numbers are 5, 17, 22, 26, 33, 37, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do your part to ensure completion of any project in which you participate. Dont let anyone coerce you into an argument. Take care of business, and move on to more enjoyable pastimes. Be moderate when involved in physical activities. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Get the lowdown before you agree to something someone wants from you. Put your plans first and foremost. You are responsible for what you accomplish, so make it count. Romance is in the stars, so take time to nurture a meaningful relationship. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Make adjustments to your living space or arrangements. Dont put up with something or someone who brings you down or causes you grief. Keep your life simple, affordable and clutter-free. Call the shots and follow your dreams. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Its up to you how you use pent-up emotional energy. You can blame others for things you dont have or didnt do, or you can embrace what life has to offer and turn your ideas into something concrete. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Strategize and formulate the best plan possible before you leap into action. Being prepared will help you alleviate setbacks and interference. Someone from your past will vouch for you or recommend you for a job that is a perfect fit. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Shoot for the stars. Take on a new project, or take care of unfinished business. Today is about progress, closing deals and being responsible for your happiness. Participation will be what leads to being on the inside of any organization you join. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Face facts. If something isnt right, recognize the problem and do something about it. The longer you let someone push you around, the harder it will be to break away and do your own thing. Dont get angry; get moving. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Serious talks will resolve pending problems. Learn from similar experiences, and take care of business before someone beats you at your own game. You have plenty to gain if you are determined to do things your way. Romance is favored. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Envision what needs to be done, and get started. Enlist people who can contribute valuable information conducive to reaching your objective. That will enable you to get ahead with your strategy. Be aware that someone close to you may offer false hope. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Reconnecting with someone who has inspired you will be enlightening. An open conversation will make you realize how much you have in common with each other and what you can accomplish as a team. A romantic celebration is encouraged. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Dont feel you have to abide by someones rules or follow someones lead. Aim to please yourself, not someone who is taking advantage of you. Living a lie will not help you get ahead. Someone will reveal a secret. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take the throttle, run the ship and dont look back. Say whats on your mind, and you will gain ground quickly. Share your feelings and intentions with someone you love. A commitment will lead to a new beginning. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are courageous, dependable and determined. You are competitive and savvy.

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Gemini: Ignore those looking to stir the pot or bring you down - The Bethel Citizen

JoJo delivered the best gift to her fans back in May in the form of 'Good to Know' her first album in four years and her first since departing Atlantic Records. The R&B album was promoted with the single 'Lonely Hearts' in April, with the single 'Man' being released previously in March along with a music video that had cameos from Ari Lennox, Tinashe, JinJoo, Francia Raisa and JoJo Gomez.

'Good to Know' dropped to widespread critical acclaim with many noting that JoJo's growth as a singer and songwriter was the crux of the release's mature, cohesive sound. JoJo has now returned with a deluxe version of the album, preceded by the release of a new single, 'What U Need'. The new album includes five new tracks, a feature from Demi Lovato on 'Lonely Hearts' and Tinashe on 'Love Reggae', and the omission of Tory Lanez from the track 'Comeback' following his recent involvement in the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.

Joanna Nolle Levesque, known to her fans as JoJo, debuted with the smash hit 'Leave (Get Out)' and her self-titled album in 2004. Her instant claim to fame was her unparalleled vocals, something most people could hardly believe was emerging from a 13-year-old. It shocked people even more when they learned the young singer was writing her own music. Cut to nearly two decades later and JoJo is still managing to floor audiences with both her vocals and songwriting. 'Good to Know' was most notable for its development of JoJo's artistry. The singer has steadily veered more into more overt sexual themes layered on top of some extremely sensual sounds, but in addition to the maturity in her lyrical themes, the growth in both JoJo's vocals as well as the production on her tracks is readily audible.

But 'Good to Know' is additionally JoJo's most personal record to date. In particular, she chronicles her turbulent journey in the music business, which included a decade-long legal battle for her freedom from her first label Blackground Records, on the album's opening lyrics "Look at me now..." and with that, it is evident JoJo's growth includes a recognition of her own worth and healing from the trauma of having her career "irreparably damaged," as her 2013 lawsuit against Blackground noted.

Standouts from the deluxe version naturally include the duet with JoJo and Lovato. Arguably two of the best vocalists of the current generation, this is a dream team nobody would have predicted we would see in this lifetime. But given the song's focus on self-improvement, self-love and escaping the clutches of codependency, it serves as the perfect vehicle for an epic collaboration. Lovato manages to keep up with JoJo on her most complex runs, a trait she is widely known for, and both singers belt and harmonize in perfect unison. It's a shame we may not get to see this track performed live any time soon, but at least we get to hear this masterpiece on this record for now.

The five new tracks including 'Love Reggae' featuring Tinashe are all absolutely gorgeous R&B tunes with a bit of pop layered in. 'X (1 Thing Wrong)', however, is easily the highlight from the new lot. The slowed-down reverb and bass-heavy track is one of the best R&B tracks to come out this year and has JoJo at her singing and songwriting best.

An overall highlight with this whole release is its stellar production that gives us some gorgeous instrumentals paired with vocals that aren't overproduced or polished to excess. Essentially, we get a rawness in JoJo's voice that truly highlights just why she is one of the best vocalists in the game. Additionally, getting to hear JoJo love herself, especially in light of everything she has been put through at the hands of the music industry executives, is an absolute treat. 'Good to Know' is a stunning release that deserves every bit of the acclaim it has received thus far, and the deluxe version just drives that point further home.

'Good to Know' is out now across digital streaming platforms.

Originally posted here:
'Good to Know' Review: JoJo forms dream team with Demi Lovato, Tinashe in sultry album that cut out Tory Lanez - MEAWW

Whether you are just entering the workforce or have been in a specific working field for years, there is always room to improve your skills and open yourself to the advice of an expert. Though you may think of yourself as someone who doesnt need to learn or that you have life figured out, all of us can benefit from being mentored, whether it be in our career path or life in general.

Mentorship can benefit you in several different ways, as it can enhance your life, facilitate growth in your career path, spark personal development, and much more. Maybe you feel as if your work or job position is stagnant and want to advance, or perhaps youre looking for ways to improve your self in all areas of your life- regardless of the need, a mentor is perfect for these types of issues.

Recognizing that you want or need a mentor is one thing, but finding a good mentor can be overwhelming and stressful if you dont know how to go about it. Are you someone trying to find a good mentor but dont know where to start? Unsure of the benefits of having a good mentor? This comprehensive guide will give you all the information you need to know about finding a mentor and how one can enhance your life!

Image via Pexels

What is a Mentor?

Oftentimes, people tend to think the titles mentor and coach are the same, and while they are similar in terms of what each entails, there is a definite difference between the two. While a coach typically offers some sort of developmental help, it is only for a short period of time. A mentorship, however, is more lengthy, according to F. John Reh of The Balance. He elaborates on this, writing, Mentoring consists of a long-term relationship focused on supporting the growth and development of the mentee. Thementorbecomes a source of wisdom, teaching, and support, but not someone who observes and advises on specific actions or behavioral changes in daily work.

In other words, a mentor is a personal cheerleader, giving you insightful encouragement and advice on how to change your perspective on yourself, your job, your life, etc. With an understanding of what a mentor is and what a mentor does, lets dive into the benefits of having a mentor, the qualities to look for in a good mentor, and how to find one!

Networking:No matter what your field of work is, networking is an important component to expanding your career and broadening your contact pool. With a mentor, you not only benefit from the connection you have with him/her, but you also can benefit from their connections as well. While your mentor can help you with different kinds of problems, they can also lead you in the direction of colleagues, friends, or work acquaintances that can give you additional advice, expose you to work environments or careers, and help you build your connections.

Accountability:Whether it be in a professional environment or your personal life, there are always goals that we want to achieve. When we set goals by ourselves, it can be easy to fall back on those goals and become lackadaisical in regards to completing the goals. With a mentor, not only can he/she help you set short and long term goals, but they can also give you meaningful advice as to how to put your goals into action and accomplish them. By having a mentor, you can be held accountable for your flaws, your strengths, the things you want to change, and the goals you wish to accomplish!

Personal Development:Among the various benefits that a mentorship, perhaps the most beneficial aspect is the growth and personal development that you experience along the way. In a work atmosphere or simply in the broader aspects of your life, there should always be room for self-improvement, whether it be work skills, behavioral flaws/setbacks, or simply a bad mindset. In a blog post by Monster, theywrite, Your mentor is the office equivalent of that friend who calls you out if youre out of line. By telling you your strengths and your weaknesses, he or she will help you gain self-awareness, respect your colleagues more, and become a better team player. In short, theyll help you build your character.

Perspective:When struggling in a situation, whether it be work-related or personal, friends and family can be great sources to go to for meaningful advice. The only problem? Family and friends carry natural biases, which can lead them to give tips or advice based on how they feel about you or your relationship with them. While this advice can definitely be respected, a mentors perspective is much more objective and useful, which can give you clarity and a fresh, new perspective on how to solve even your most complicated issues. Dont worry, giving mom a call doesnt hurt too!

Problem Solving:No one likes handling a problem alone. In your work environment, or even in your personal life, tackling an overwhelming problem is never easy, especially if the problem involves someone you are close with (i.e. a boss, colleague, or spouse). Among the broad personal development growth, a mentor can help you solve problems in any realm by giving your mature, relevant, and appropriate advice for any situation. Sarah Price, a blog writer for Surf Careers furtheremphasizesthis, saying, Their experience and insight can stop you from making mistakes and can give you the answers rather than you having to waste valuable time and money working out the right way to handle the situation.

Image via Pexels

When trying to find a good mentor, it can be easy to pick whatever person first comes your way. Ultimately in your search, you want to make sure your prospective mentor has these following qualities, as it will not only make the experience fulfilling for you but also for your mentor!

Expertise or Knowledge in Relevant Field: Though this is an obvious trait to look for, it is nonetheless an important one when finding a mentor that will bring the best out of you. You will want your prospective mentor to have a reasonable amount of expertise and knowledge in a field relevant to you and your work. Whether you are more the artsy type, or in a white-collar job, choosing a mentor with relevant knowledge in your industry will help you gain meaningful information, broaden your perspectives, and grow in your field. In addition, the shared experience of being in the same field will bring both of you together, which can only develop your relationship more.

Passion/Enthusiasm for Sharing the Expertise: Just as it is important for a mentor to be knowledgeable in your industry/field of work, it is also key for a mentor to have a passion and enthusiasm for sharing that knowledge. Some mentors are guilty of being condescending, arrogant, or downright rude in terms of sharing their expertise, leaving the mentee feeling belittled, insignificant, and mistreated. Remember, your goal is to better yourself and grow in your career. If you have a mentor that does anything to make you feel the opposite, he/she is not a good fit for you, and most likely is not a good fit to be a mentor at all.

Empathetic/Understanding Attitude: Sure, the mentor can relate to you because you both have similar career backgrounds, but does he/she understand you on a personal level? Do they empathize with the current problems or issues you may be experiencing in your career or life in general? When looking for a good mentor, you want to ensure that they have an empathetic and understanding attitude toward you. This attitude gives you the ability to grow and thrive in each aspect of your life without judgment. Alyse Kalish of The Muse comments on this, stating, Oftentimes people try to impose their own beliefs or ways of approaching things on others, and this can be a good mentors downfall. So find someone you can trust to take your values and input into account over their own.

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The Ability to Give Honest and Constructive Feedback:On the contrary, while you want a mentor that is emphatic and understanding, you also want a mentor that can give you honest and constructive feedback, as such is necessary to overcome certain obstacles, change bad behaviors, and ultimately grow as a person and in your career. A good mentor will be respectful, genuine, and always have your best interests in mind. If your mentor suspects you are going down a wrong path or perhaps not making the right choices, they will not hold back in telling you that youre not doing the right thing in order to preserve your feelings.

Willingness to Sponsor You:A mentors job is to support and advise you so you can grow and develop your personal and workplace skills. While a mentor is a great person to have in your corner, if your mentor also actively wants to sponsor you, thats even better. What is the difference between a mentor and a mentor who sponsors you? Better Allieswritesin an article from The Muse that sponsors, vocally support the work of colleagues from underrepresented groups in all contexts, but specifically in situations that will help boost those colleagues standing and reputations.

Start with Your Manager: Depending on your relationship with your manager, you may or may not want to start with them. If you have a good standing with your manager and they are open to helping you out, ask your manager who they would recommend. As your manger is higher than you in terms of their work title, they are likely to know various individuals who would be open to mentoring you. Going about it this way is the simplest, as you interact with your manager on a regular basis and dont have to do an extensive personal search.

Work with Human Resources: If going to your manager first is not an option, your next option is to work with your companys human resources department (if your company has one- most typically do). Contact HR and tell them about your mentor-seeking journey and ask for help. Through HR, you can find different mentoring options that your company might offer.

Search Within the Company You Work For: Youve exhausted your resources in contacting your manager and consulting with human resources, what next? Searching within the company you work for is a great option to find a mentor. Though it can require more energy and work from you, it can be beneficial to reach out to an individual personally rather than through someone else, i.e. a manager or HR worker. Victor Lipman of Forbes suggests, If theres someone else in your company a manager or executive either in your part of the operation or in another area whom you highly respect and feel you could learn from, just go ahead and ask them yourself if theyll mentor you. Before you do this, Victor notes to inform your direct manager that youll be doing this, for transparency!

Be Someone Who is Enjoyable to Mentor: While it may seem like so much of a mentorship relies on the mentor, it relies significantly on you as well! As a mentee, you want to be someone who is enjoyable to mentor, meaning someone who is receptive to what your mentor tells you, actively executing ways to better yourself, and working hard to ensure their work and energy does not go to waste. Kathy Caprino of Forbes poses these important questions to ask yourself, Are you somebody you yourself would like to mentor? Are you open, flexible, resilient, respectful? Are you eager to learn, and committed to modifying how youre interacting in the world so you can have even more success, reward, and happiness? Answering these questions can give you a greater perspective on what you can do to ensure a healthy mentor/mentee relationship takes place.

Put Yourself in Mentors Shoes: People say that empathy is the ability to walk in someone elses shoes or see life from their perspective. Within your mentor relationship, try to put yourself in their shoes to help you understand their position, viewpoints, and perspective. In other words, be someone that is a joy to be mentored!

When it comes to finding a mentor, there are several different factors you want to consider. Evaluate the benefits of having a mentor, look for specific qualities in your prospective mentor, and take the appropriate steps within your work field to find the mentor best for you and your personality. Once you follow those steps, selecting a good mentor for you will be no problem, and will get you on the right path to growing in your life!

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Finding a Good Mentor: What You Need to Know - Uloop News

Sarah Edmondson was a struggling actress when she became fascinated with the self-improvement philosophies of NXIVM. A torturous initiation into a secret society within the group changed her mind.

Sarah Edmondson once believed the self-proclaimed personal development program known as NXIVM was the answer to finding true fulfillment and happiness but as she delved deeper into the organization and uncovered its darkest secrets, she would become one of the organizations most outspoken opponents.

Edmondson played a pivotal role in NXIVMs downfall, speaking out in an October 2017New York Times article about the disturbing branding ritual she had participated in as part of a secret sisterhood within the group.

I wept the whole time, she saidof nearly 30-minute procedure to sear a symbol below her hip. I disassociated out of my body.

Keith Raniere, the groups leader would be arrested in Mexico months later, in March 2018, for operating the alleged sex cult.

Raniere was ultimately convicted in June 2019 on seven charges, including two counts of sex trafficking, racketeering and forced labor conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Eastern District of New York.

Edmondsonwho estimates she helped recruit 2,000 members during her 12 years with NXIVMis now haunted by her role pushing that BS to others.

I have a lot of guilt about the people I brought in, but if theres one thing I can hang my hat on, its that I never lied. I thought Keith Raniere was the greatest, wisest, most brilliant man on Earth, she told Refinery29last September. I had no idea what was going on with the women and everything that came out in the FBIs investigation.

Edmondsonwho shared her story in the new HBO docuseries The Vowmay have helped bring down one of the nations most shocking cults, but when she first joined the group in her late 20s she was searching for purpose.

The actress had found some success on the small screen, but was also living in a $400-a-month basement apartment, struggling to make ends meet.

I was challenged in my relationship, challenged in my career, she said in The Vow. I had this idea that maybe Id become a famous actor and use my celebrity to have a voice or have an impact on the world. That wasnt happening.

When her filmmaker boyfriend got accepted at a cinema festival at sea, she decided to go along and figure out my purpose in life, she said.

It was there she first crossed path with Mark Vicente, a writer, director and cinematographer who had been on the creative team behind the spiritual documentary What The #$*! Do We (K)now?!

Vicente was already immersed in NXIVM at the time and sat at the same table withEdmondson, who had a persistent cough.

Vicente asked Edmondson what she would lose if she stopped coughing.

I had the awareness instantly that I had linked sickness and attention, Edmondson recalled in the docu-series. I was trying to get my boyfriends attention. I was like Oh my gosh my whole life Ive been so sick as a means for attention.

She felt better the next day and discovered she really liked and respected Vicentewho began casually discussing his connection to NXIVM.

He underplayed it, she said. If anything, I was more interested in working with him and doing whatever he was doing.

Edmondson soon enrolled in one of NXIVMs five-day Executive Success Program training sessions.

At the time I was living in a basement suite where my rent was $400 a month, so for me to spend thousands of dollars on my personal growth was obscene, but I really wanted to change and I really wanted to make that leap, so I put it on my credit card and signed up for the next training, she said.

But it wasnt love at first sight. Edmondsonnow a mother to two boyssaid she found the run-down Holiday Inn where the training was held underwhelming and said the aesthetics and presentations had a totally 80s vibe.

She had a breakthrough, however, on the third day of the session when the topic turned to self-esteem and how limiting beliefs could be holding an individual back from living their best live.

I didnt have love for myself. I didnt have belief in myself, she said in the docu-series. I thought that was just the way that I was and then all of a sudden, I was like, Oh, I can systemically evolve to be the ideal version of myself to write my own character' versus Well, this is who I am.

She soon immersed herself in the self-help group, rising through its ranks to eventually become the co-founder of a Vancouver chapter and begin teaching the groups strategies to others.

I feel like I was soaring. It was almost like a magic, she said in the docuseries. I felt like I was getting downloaded a book of knowledge about people, about society, about the world in general. I really felt like I had this secret potion of understanding.

Edmondson told ABC News she eventually formed a close bond with Lauren Salzmanthe daughter of Nancy Salzman, one of the groups co-founders and top leaders.

Shes like my therapist and in the ranking system, shes also above me, she told the news outlet of her relationship with Lauren.

It was through this connection that Edmondsonwho had to call Lauren mastergot invited to an initiation for a secret sorority within the group that required each participant to give Salzman some expensive collateral to gain entry.

Salzman promised she had something really amazing to share and described the odd request this way, according to The New York Times: Its kind of strange and top secret and in order for me to tell you about it you need to give me something as collateral to make sure you dont speak about it, Edmondson recalled.

Edmonson, who was known as the slave to her master, agreed and provided naked photos of herself.

Each slave in the group, known as DOS, would pledge obedience to their master and was required to send her Master text messages within 60 seconds during training drills to demonstrate herdevotion.

The initiation ceremony took place in an Albany home. The five women in the initiation group were ordered to take off their clothes andsitnaked in a semi-circle; they weretold theyd receive a permanent reminder of their membership in the secret sorority. Edmondson thought theyd be getting small tattoos, but instead each girl was branded with a 2-inch square symbol just below the hip. Edmondson would later realize the symbol looked like KR or Ranieres initials.

It was worse than childbirth, Edmondson told ABC News. Imagine a hot laser, dragged across your flesh for 30 minutes without anesthetic.

Edmondson would later describe the trauma in the opening of her memoir Scarred.

Lying there completely naked, I am at my most vulnerable but determined to prove my strength. I try to keep my legs closed as my body wills itself to protect my most private area, she wrote. I tell myself: I am a warrior. I birthed a human. I can handle pain. But nothing could have ever prepared me for the feel of this fire on my skin."

After Edmondsons husband Anthony Ames, who was also a NXIVM member, learned about the brand, they both decided they wanted out and Edmondson began to speak publicly about her harrowing ordeal and the slow indoctrination she saidled her deeper and deeper into the organization.

If this hadnt happened to me, I would have been the first to say, What an idiot. Why didnt she just leave? The answer is that indoctrination is incredibly powerful, she told Refinery29. If you look at the branding ritual as an example, they convince you that you are triumphing over your own weakness.

Her story was also featured in the first season of the podcast Uncover.

With the experience behind her, Edmondson has gone on to find a new sense of joy.

She continues to act and do voice-over work, taking on roles in Hallmark movies Wedding of Dreams and Welcome to Christmas.

Her latest role in the television movie The Sisterhood has an eerie parallel to her own life. She plays a reporter in a story about a cult-like group of women who are forced to participate in questionable and dangerous activities.

Edmondson, who lives in Vancouver, also regularly posts photos of life with her husband and two young sons on Instagram.

But the mom of two hasnt completely left her years with NXIVM behind. Earlier this year, Edmondson, her husband and nearly 80 anonymous claimants filed a lawsuit against the leaders of NXIVM, including Seagrams liquor heiresses Sara and Clare Bronfman, for emotional and financial harm they suffered as a result of their time with the group, according to CBC.

The lawsuit describes NXIVM as a Ponzi scheme and coercive community designed to financially and emotionally abuse its followers.

Edmondson also continues to work to restore past relationships that suffered from her involvement in one of the nations most perplexing cults.

As I work to regain my personal power and move past what happened, there's a special message I have for the friends and people close to me whom I became distant from or lost contact with over the years I was a proponent of NXIVM's practices: I'm deeply sorry," she wrote in her memoir. "Hopefully, my actions and all that I share in this book will be a step towards making amends as I begin to repair the impact my 12-year journey had on those around me."

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Who Is Sarah Edmondson And What Role Did She Play In NXIVM (And It's Downfall)? - Oxygen

Ridley Scotts highly-anticipated new sci-fi series Raised by Wolves premieres starring Australian actor Travis Fimmel.

The two-part documentary Save This Shark follows World Champion Surfer Mick Fanning as he returns to the open waters to conquer his fear of sharks and better understand them.

Reality juggernaut Keeping Up with the Kardashians returns, giving viewers an insight into how the family dealt with being in lockdown during the pandemic.

There will be three unmissable Aussie Gold Hunters specials serving up some of the biggest moments from the shows history.

And dont miss HBO documentary series The Vow which takes an in-depth look at the controversial self-improvement group NXIVM, now facing with multiple charges

THU SEPT 3

Raised by Wolves

Ridley Scotts highly-anticipated new science fiction series Raised by Wolves focuses on two androids tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet. As the burgeoning colony of humans threatens to be torn apart by religious differences, the androids learn that controlling the beliefs of humans is a treacherous and difficult task. Stars Australian actor Travis Fimmel, along with Amanda Collin, Abubakar Salim, Winta McGrath, Niamh Algar, Jordan Loughran, Matias Varela, Felix Jamieson, Ethan Hazzard, Aasiya Shah and Ivy Wong.

TUE SEPT 8

MOVIE DROP: Little Women starring Emma Watson

Jo March reflects back and forth on her life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters four young women, each determined to live life on her own terms. Also stars Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh.

TUE SEPT 15

MOVIE DROP: Bad Boys for Life starring Will Smith

Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett must face off against a mother-and-son pair of drug lords who wreak vengeful havoc on their city. Also stars Martin Lawrence and Vanessa Hudgens.

WED SEPT 16

Save this Shark

Save This Shark is a two-part documentary that follows the 3 x World Champion Surfer turned ocean activist Mick Fanning on his mission to explore shark conservation. From his hometown of Ballina to the tropics of the Bahamas, Fanning returns to the open waters to conquer his fear of sharks and better understand them. Along the way, Fanning investigates the issue of sharks versus people, debunking common misconceptions and, learning about the latest technology helping humans and sharks safely co-exist while saving them from extinction.

FRI SEPT 18

Keeping Up with the Kardashians S18B

Season 18 returns after a mid-season break due to Covid-19. The new episodes will give viewers an insight into how the family dealt with being in lockdown during the pandemic, with footage filmed inside their homes on iPhones.

Aussie Gold Hunters Specials

The gold hunt continues with three unmissable specials that serve up some of the biggest moments from the shows history. In Countdown to the Motherlode, celebrate the top ten gold finds of all time. Surviving the Wilderness showcases the severe weather, extreme and remote landscapes, and relentless obstacles our gold hungry hunters endure. While Gold Fever delves into the obsessive quest for gold that has pushed people to their limits for centuries chasing a dream of striking it rich.

SUN SEPT 20

The Vow

This nine-part documentary series follows a number of people deeply involved in the controversial self-improvement group NXIVM over the course of several years. With remarkable access to insiders and former members, it takes an in depth look at the organisation faced with various charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, against its highest members most notably founder Keith Raniere, who was convicted in June 2019 and is currently awaiting sentencing.

MON SEPT 28

MOVIE DROP: Birds of Prey starring Margot Robbie

When one of Gothams most sinister villains, Roman Sionis, and his sadistic right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl names Cass, the citys wicked underbelly is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Canary and Renee Montoyas paths collide and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.

WED SEPT 30

The Great British Sewing Bee

The Great British Sewing Bee is back, with 12 sewers competing over ten weeks with the most perplexing patterns, eye-popping transformations and stunning made-to-measure garments yet. Scrutinising every stitch are Saville Rows Patrick Grant and Central Saint Martinss Esme Young, testing the sewers across a huge range of garments from rugby shirts to childrens dungarees, flamenco skirts to a boned basque.

TUE SEPT 1

MOVIE DROP Bloodshot starring Vin Diesel

Based on the bestselling comic book, Vin Diesel stars as Ray Garrison, a soldier recently killed in action and brought back to life as the superhero Bloodshot by the RST corporation. With an army of nanotechnology in his veins, hes an unstoppable force stronger than ever and able to heal instantly. But in controlling his body, the company has sway over his mind and memories too. Now, Ray doesnt know whats real and whats not but hes on a mission to find out.

MOVIE DROP: Cocaine Godmother starring Catherine Zeta Jones

Academy Award and Tony Award-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones stars in Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story, a Lifetime feature based on the life of drug lord Griselda Blanco, a pioneer in the Miami-based cocaine trade.

WED SEPT 2

Doom Patrol S2

Doom Patrol follows the unlikely heroes of the titular team who all got their superpowers through tragic events and are shunned by society. The second season picks up after the group defeated Mr. Nobody and discovered Dr. Caulders dark secret that he had caused the tragic events that gave them their powers, in an effort to protect his daughter.

Animal Impossible

Tim Warwood and Adam Gendle risk life and limb to uncover the truth about animals in this eye-opening and entertaining series from the renowned BBC Studios Natural History Unit. Do cats always land on their feet? Could a squid sink a ship? Is spider silk really stronger than steel? Endlessly curious presenters Tim and Gendle want to find out.

MON SEPT 7

Ollies Pack

Ollies Packis an animated comedy about Ollie, a 13-year old boy who protects and controls a backpack portal to the world of monsters.

The Nile: 5000 Years of History

Professor Bettany Hughes sets sail on an epic journey through the history and highlights of Ancient Egypt. Travelling on her own traditional Dahabiya boat, Bettany journeys almost 1,000 miles from Cairo to the Aswan Dam on the mighty River Nile stopping off at the most iconic and dazzling sites along the way. From ancient gossip on the sex lives of the rich and famous to a close up encounter with King Tuts grandmother, this colourful travelogue interweaves mystery, revelation, stunning visuals and diverse modern-day encounters to create a unique and unforgettable journey through the highlights of Ancient Egyptian history.

THU SEPT 10

Noughts + Crosses

Adapted from the first book inMalorie Blackmans bestselling series, the much-anticipatedNoughts + Crossesis a gripping story of first love set in a dangerous, alternate world where racism divides society. Separated by their colour but united by forbidden love and burning injustice, Sephy Hadley (Masali Baduza) and Callum McGregor (Jack Rowan) are fighting for more than simply the right to be together. Sephy is a Cross, a member of the black ruling class and daughter of a prominent politician. Callum is a Nought, a white member of the underclass. The two have been friends since childhood, but thats as far as it can go. Their relationship grows ever more complicated as they come of age and against a backdrop of prejudice, distrust and rebellion, the passionate romance that builds between them will lead them both into terrible danger.

TUE SEPT 15

MOVIE DROP: Bad Boys for Life starring Will Smith

Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett must face off against a mother-and-son pair of drug lords who wreak vengeful havoc on their city. Also stars Martin Lawrence and Vanessa Hudgens.

THU SEPT 17

Friends S1-10 (Complete series drop)

The smash-hit, Emmy Award-winning comedy that influenced a generation with its unique take on the trials and tribulations of six friends living and learning about life in New York City, remains one of the most popular shows of all time.

Island of Bryan S2

In season 1, we saw Bryan and Sarah Baeumler move their family to an undeveloped island in the Bahamas to renovate a rundown resort. Season 2 picks up where season 1 left off: after a rollercoaster year of construction, the resorts grand opening date is set just a few months away. With the budget maxed out and more at stake than ever, Bryan and Sarah will have to tackle the seemingly impossible in order to transform the property into their spectacular vision: Caerula Mar Club.

Archer S11 (FOX8)

Emmy Award-winning animated comedy Archer returns its 11th season. Following Suave international spy Sterling Archer and his cohorts at a New York-based intelligence agency as they battle rival spies, exotic enemies and their own dysfunctional personalities, Season 11 is set to follow the titular super spy after he awakens from a three-year coma.

FRI SEPT 18

The Bradshaw Bunch (E!)

Legendary quarterback and television-broadcast icon and actor Terry Bradshaw gives viewers an intimate look at life in the off-season with his family.

TUE SEPT 22

Jeffrey Dahmer: Mind of Monster

This special is chillingly narrated by the words of Jeffrey Dahmer himself. The Milwaukee Cannibal raped, killed, and dismembered 17 young men between 1978 and 1991. It features audio recordings from extensive police interviews; a heart-wrenching interview with his father; Ronald Flowers, a victim who narrowly escaped murder; Dr. Park Deitz, a former psychiatrist who spent time with Dahmer; and a never-before-seen interview with Nicole Childress, a witness plagued with guilt. Home video footage offers an intimate look into his relatively normal upbringing, making his case particularly unsettling.

MOVIE DROP A Beautiful Day In the Neighbourhood starring Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys

Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in this timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his scepticism, learning about kindness, love and forgiveness from Americas most beloved neighbour.

WED SEPT 23

The West Memphis Three: An ID Murder Mystery (COMPLETE SEASON DROP)

West Memphis, Arkansas, is an American town not much different than any other. But when the parents of three young boys realize their sons are missing on the evening of May 5, 1993, the police uncover a triple homicide that turns into one of the most chilling cases in recent history. Police discover the bodies in what looks like a ritualistic murder scene, and with a demonic presence looming, the people of West Memphis suspect evil lives among them. Investigators quickly seize three teen suspects they believe are Satanists. The trio, later nicknamed the West Memphis Three, seem like the obvious suspects, but with no evidence connecting them to the cult-like killings, are they truly guilty or just easily targeted outsiders?

SAT SEPT 26

Pamela Smart: An American Murder Mystery (COMPLETE SEASON DROP)

Sex, lies, and a tale too twisted to be real surround the murder of Gregg Smart. Who killed him and why? On May 1, 1990, 22-year-old media coordinator Pamela Smart finds her husband Gregg dead on the floor of their southern New Hampshire condo, leaving the town of Derry stunned. Scouring the region for clues, police shift their attention to Greggs grieving widow, Pamela Smart, who has been making curious television appearances publicising her plight. When investigators discover Pamela has been having a sordid affair with high school student, Billy Flynn, a complicated web of lies and deceit unravel, revealing one of the most scandalous crimes of the century.

SUN SEPT 27

Aaron Hernandez: An ID Murder Mystery (COMPLETE SEASON DROP)

The story of Aaron Hernandez is one of the most stunning falls from grace in recent history. Once hailed as a hero for the New England Patriots, Hernandez is now considered an American tragedy. After beginning a promising NFL career at the age of 20, few could ever imagine he would be on trial for murder. Fans were perplexed, but as the investigation unfolded, more unknown factors were revealed. The public was exposed to the dangerous inner workings of Hernandezs psyche, seeing the anger, secrets and struggles that simmered beneath the All-American faade.

MON SEPT 28

Masterchef S16

MasterChef is back and the kitchen is open for 60 of the UKs most outstanding amateur cooks to battle it out for the 2020 title. The contestants compete over five weeks of Heats. This year they will have to cook not only for their place in the competition but also the right to wear a coveted MasterChef apron. With six contestants in each Heat and only four aprons up for grabs, the battle is fierce from the offset. John Torode and Gregg Wallace

TUE SEPT 29

Brittany Murphy: An ID Mystery

Brittany Murphy was a rising star who had it all, but she also had secrets. When found dead in her Los Angeles home at just 32 years old, legions of fans were left in disbelief. Later, her husband, Simon Monjack, and mother, Sharon Murphy, embarked on a bizarre media blitz, and within months, Monjack perished under strikingly similar circumstances. In an exclusive final interview, the late Angelo Bertolotti, Brittanys father, casts doubt on the conclusion that she died of natural causes. Brittany Murphy: An ID Mystery revisits the case through intimate interviews, in-depth access to forensic details and more.

The Lady Killers

Men kill in rage, to control, to steal, to exert powerso why and how do women kill? So often, its about lost love, a desire for wealth, revenge. This true crime series investigates the stories of the women who killhow they kill by fire, poison, hiring a hitman or with guns or knivesoften different but sometimes chillingly like male homicide. From interviews with those close to Lady Killers, psychologists and criminologists, to dramatic reconstruction, this series answers the key questions as to why women take the lives of those close to them.

WED SEPT 30

MOVIE DROP: Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears starring Essie Davis

After freeing a young Bedouin girl, Shirin Abbas, from her unjust imprisonment in Jerusalem, Miss Fisher begins to unravel a wartime mystery concerning a priceless jewel, an ancient curse and the truth behind the suspicious disappearance of Shirins forgotten tribe.

See more here:
Everything new coming to FOXTEL ON-DEMAND this September - TV Blackbox

PREVIOUSLY:

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More than a year after a jury convicted Nicholas Kistler of attempted murder, the 36-year-old Arcata man was sentenced this morning to 11 years to life in state prison.

Kistler.

Judge Christopher Wilson sentenced Kistler to seven years for premeditated attempted murder, three years for causing great bodily injury and one year for use of a weapon, a hammer. Kistler used the hammer to strike a man twice over the head, fracturing his skull, in April 2017 on the Arcata Plaza. Kistler had attempted to disguise himself with a bandana.

Before the sentencing, defense attorney Andrea Sullivan asked the judge to consider that Kistler was provoked when he attacked (the victim) and deeply regrets his decision. During his more than three years behind bars, Kistler participated in numerous programs and was awarded multiple certificates.

He has done tremendous work while in custody, Sullivan said.

She asked the judge to strike the weapons conviction, which would cut one year from Kistlers sentence.

Kistler, on video conference from the jail, read a lengthy statement taking responsibility for his crime and vowing to change his thinking and my behavior. He blamed his actions partially on drug addiction.

It lays heavily on my heart, Kistler said, that I found myself in such a low place that my actions were to paint an entirely different picture than what Ive always seen as who I am as a person I have made a personal commitment to nonviolence as a way of life and have not been in a single physical altercation or even so much as an argument during the the 3 1/2 years of my incarceration to date.

While in jail, Kistler took advantage of every program offered and earned dozens of certificates.

My path today is one of accountability and personal responsibility, he said.

Kistler was convicted in March 2019. The sentencing was delayed first by his failed attempt at getting a new trial, and then with his claim that his trial attorney hadnt represented him adequately.

Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal, the trial prosecutor, argued today that the weapons enhancement should not be stricken. Although defense attorney Sullivan claimed Kistler was provoked, that factual scenario was soundly rejected by the jury, who was instructed on attempted voluntary manslaughter as a possible crime and instead came back with a finding that the defendant had committed premeditated attempted murder, Bernthal said.

The jury also found, he said, that Kistler perjured himself on the witness stand.

As to Kistlers stellar performance as an inmate, Bernthal sees him in a different light. I look at the defendants record and I see one of someone who was a violent individual whos been spiraling out of control since 2014, Bernthal told the judge. Serious, escalating violence.

Among Kistlers many previous crimes were battery on a police officer and possession of a dirk or dagger. He fought with Winco employees after stealing from the store. One battery case was dismissed, and Kistler managed to defeat other charges related to a case eerily similar to this one, Bernthal said.

He purports to regret his actions, the prosecutor said. But everything that he has done, from the perjury he committed during his trial, the litigation afterward, frankly the speech that he has given today, is in the Peoples view simply evidence that he believes that he can continue to get away with these things as he has gotten away with them in the past.

Bernthal said its unfortunate it took this case to bring home to him, that he cannot, for example, disguise himself in broad daylight and hit somebody two times in the head with a hammer, trying to kill them.

Before Wilson imposed the sentence he commended Kistler on his efforts at self-improvement while in jail.

Mr. Kistler you are still a young man, Wilson said. I think that your accomplishments while youve been custody are admirable, and you shouldnt feel like those are wasted upon the court. They are certainly not wasted on any review board that might consider your ultimate release. Continue those efforts. You have time to make changes to your life and lifestyle that have led you to this unfortunate place.

At the same time, the judge said, the law allows him no discretion in sentencing other than the option of striking the weapons allegation.

Im not inclined to do that, Wilson told Kistler. Really its part and parcel of this particular event. I think that the jury, given the choice of weapon that was used here, that that was probably a significant factor in making the finding of premeditation and deliberation and the intent to kill. Certainly the selection of (a hammer) would perhaps suggest that.

Kistler was given credit for 1,242 actual days served, plus 186 days of good time credit.

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Judge Sentences Arcata Man to 11 Years to Life for Attempted Murder, More Than a Year After a Jury Convicted Him of the Crime - Lost Coast Outpost